If you’ve never done yoga, it looks intimidating. People are flexible, fit, trendily dressed—wait, I might be thinking of Lululemon ads rather than actual yoga classes. It turns out you can have a great experience at a yoga class even when you’re brand new, and we asked yoga instructors how.
Jim Paull
Shared posts
How to Get Up the Nerve to Go to Your First Yoga Class
Jim PaullWoof
10 Make-Ahead Breakfasts to Prep This Weekend — Recipe Roundup
Jim PaullOooo
When it comes to meal prep, you usually focus first on dinner and then maybe lunch. That means all too often breakfast gets the shaft. Maybe you think Oh, I'll just wing it! I'll eat a granola bar on my commute! I'll grab a muffin from the coffee shop! But you deserve so much more than that.
From sweet treats like carrot quick bread and apple-cinnamon French toast casserole to savory delights like scrambled chickpea and spinach pitas and ham, egg, and cheese quesadillas, these 10 make-ahead recipes will save you time and money (looking at you, $10 breakfast sandwich) in the mornings.
How to Choose the Best Pen for the Job
Ever walk into an art supply store and wonder what all the different kinds of pens and pencils are for? Is there a “correct” one to write with? What’s the best pen for lefties? Watch our simple video guide to the best uses for ballpoints, gel pens, and roller ball pens.
How to Build the Perfect Salad
Whether it’s Leslie Knope, the non-Lisa Simpsons, Vernon Dursley, or your racist uncle who draws scientifically bunk parallels between salad consumption and gender identity, I can’t think of a food that’s cooler to hate than salad. That’s really too bad, because a well-constructed salad is one of life’s great…
Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
Here are seven of the best photos that readers added to the Consumerist Flickr Pool in the last two weeks (Consumerist was traveling), picked for usability in a Consumerist post or for just plain neatness.
Want to see your pictures on our site? Our Flickr pool is the place where Consumerist readers upload photos for possible use in future Consumerist posts. Just be a registered Flickr user, go here, and click “Join Group?” up on the top right. Choose your best photos, then click “send to group” on the individual images you want to add to the pool.
Perception of Rohingya as persecuted is ‘superficial’, says Masing
Jim PaullHere
PETALING JAYA: Myanmar alone can’t do anything to stop the plight faced by the Rohingya community there, as it is a problem that has gone on for centuries, says Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister James Masing.
He also said that the current perception that the Rohingya were the persecuted group is “superficial”.
“And it fails to take into account the historical perspective of the ancient ethnic rivalries,” he said to FMT, in reference to Rakhine state’s native Buddhist community, and the Rohingya, who are Muslims, living there.
According to Masing, the “ebb and flow between the persecutors and the persecuted”, depended on who was in power in Myanmar.
“If the administrator of Myanmar is predisposed and kind to the native communities of Rakhine state, then the Rohingya from Bengal (now known as Bangladesh) would be persecuted.
“If the administrator is weak and Bengal next door is able to assert its influence in Myanmar, then the Rakhine native communities become persecuted, and the Rohingya become persecutor.”
He said the Myanmar government had for centuries tried to resolve the conflict, but they kept failing.
“Hence, the international communities should now step in and help the country in its efforts to stop the violence happening in Rakhine state,” Masing said.
He called for Asean countries to take the first step, followed by the United Nations.
“Myanmar cannot do it alone.”
Late last month, around 1,000 protesters gathered near a major road in Kuala Lumpur calling for an end to violence against the Rohingya community in Myanmar.
This came after renewed violence in the Rakhine state, which occurred between security forces and Rohingya militants after the latter staged raids on police posts.
The violence is still raging, and at least 110 people are so far confirmed dead while at least 18,500 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to the International Organization for Migration.
There are almost 60,000 Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, according to the United Nations.
Persecution of the Rohingya, reviled as illegal immigrants by the majority Buddhist population in Myanmar, has caused much anger in Malaysia and across the Muslim world.
How to Clean a Bristled Hairbrush
Jim PaullOr a blowtorch.
Routine hairbrush cleaning is an often-overlooked part of hygiene maintenance. From oil and grime build-up to dandruff and leftover hair product transferring between family members, roommates, or partners, routine cleaning of your hairbrush is important. An old hairbrush can be revitalized and its lifetime extended simply by removing collected hair, cleaning with an agent, and properly drying.
EditSteps
EditRemoving Hair
- Use your fingers if your hairbrush has a light layer of collected hair. Your fingertips are your most accessible and cost-effective tool. Start at the base of the cylinder or pad, grasp a clump of hair, and gently pry up and away. It’s important to take your time as hair strands break easily and will become difficult to remove. [1]
- Use a miniature hairbrush rake if your hairbrush has a substantial amount of collected hair. When it comes to hairbrush cleansing tools, the miniature hairbrush rake tops the list. While this tool is similar to a comb, it is far more effective. Cleaning rakes vary in size, as well as in single or dual sides. For bristled brushes or if you have multiple styles and sizes of brushes, a dual sided rake is more versatile.[2]
- Use a nylon brush if you already have one available. Hold the bristled hairbrush over the sink, a trash can, or take it outdoors. Brush the nylon brush through the bristles of your hairbrush. This will remove hair buildup, as well as dislodge skin and dandruff flakes. Continue brushing until the nylon brush rakes cleanly through the brush bristles. [3]
- Wash the nylon brush to remove debris and allow it to dry completely before reusing it for this purpose.
- Use a teasing comb for layers of hair that are tightly wound. Teasing combs are dual sided with bristles and a hair sectioning point called a rat tail. Beginning at the base of your bristled brush, slide the rat tail under the collected hair and gently pull away from the brush. Repeat this on all sides of the cylinder or across the entire face of the pad. Once you have loosened and lifted the hair from the shaft, simply use your fingers to roll the hair up and off. [4]
- Use scissors to help remove stubborn hair knots and clumps. Oftentimes, the hair will clump or knot in the process of removal. Make sure to have a pair of scissors handy for these occasions. Simple cut through the clump or knot to divide it into two or three sections. Be careful not to cut too much or the smaller pieces of hair may remain stuck.[5]
EditCleaning Grime and Oil
- Use tea tree oil as an all-natural cleansing agent. Tea tree oil is an all-natural and highly-effective cleansing agent available at your local drug store or health foods market. Pour one cup of warm water into a medium sized bowl. Add a few drops of tea tree oil and stir to combine. [6]
- Use a shampoo and baking soda cleansing agent if you have sensitive skin. For those with sensitive skin or allergies, using your own shampoo, plus baking soda, is a safe and gentle option. Pour one cup of warm water into a medium sized bowl. Add a teaspoon of shampoo and a teaspoon of baking soda and stir to combine.[7]
- Dip a clean toothbrush in the cleansing agent. Using a clean toothbrush, dip the brush end in the solution. Make sure that the toothbrush bristles are completely soaked with the cleansing agent. [8]
- Scrub your hairbrush between the bristles and on surface of the pad. Take the toothbrush and brush the cylinder or pad from the base, where the bristles are connected to the brush head, all the way to the top. This will remove oil, dandruff, and leftover hair product. Move around the hairbrush methodically to cover the entire surface. Make sure to include small circular motions to help dredge up heavily soiled brushes. [9]
- Soak your bristled hairbrush in the bowl of cleansing agent to remove loose particles and provide a deep clean. After scrubbing the bristled brush cylinder or pad, dip the head of your hairbrush into the cleansing agent. This will help to remove any loose particles, as well as provide a second rinsing, which is particularly useful on stubborn hair product build up. [10]
- If the hairbrush has a wooden handle or paddle, do not submerge the brush in the water. Most wooden brushes are coated in a moisture repellant, but they aren’t 100% resistant. Instead of submerging in the bowl of water, perform one or two additional toothbrush cleanings.
- Rinse your hairbrush in clean and cool water. Fill a second medium sized bowl with clean and cool water. Lower your hairbrush into the water gently submerging the entire bristled area. For circular brushes, you may have to twist your brush in your palms to make sure the entire area has been rinsed.
- If you have a wooden bristled brush, hold the brush bristle side down over a sink or a towel. Take a mist or spray bottle and soak the cleansed bristles until the water runs clear from the bristles. [11]
EditDrying Your Hairbrush
- Use a clean dry cloth to dry your hairbrush if you have a wooden handle or paddle. It's important to immediately remove any excess water that has collected in the bristles or on the pad of a wooden brush. Moisture can cling and seep into brush bristles, cloth brush pads, and wood causing mold and rot. Using a cloth, gently press between the bristles to reach the surface of the cylinder or pad. Make sure to use adequate pressure to soak up any excess moisture. [12]
- Lay your hairbrush, bristles facing down, on a cloth to air dry. Once you have absorbed excess moisture, it's important to allow the brush to fully dry before use. Place the bristles facing down on a clean and dry towel and allow to dry overnight. [13]
- Use a hair dryer to quickly dry your hairbrush. If you need to use your brush right away, use a hair dryer set to its lowest setting to speed the drying process. Go back and forth over the brush a few times to blow out any remaining water drops and to ensure that the hairbrush is now damp rather than soaking wet.
EditTips
- For a bristled brush carrying dandruff, you can use lime juice during cleaning as well.
- Commercial brush cleaners are available.
- A neat and clean hairbrush will result in neat, clean and healthy hair.
- A vinegar and water wash can be used in place of soapy water if you have dry hair that doesn't leave an oil residue in the brush. Otherwise, stick to something that can lift out the oil.
EditWarnings
- Do not clean a bristled brush with a shampoo containing silicone. The silicone will coat the bristles on the brush and they won't be as effective when brushing your hair.
- Only use a cool setting when drying with the hair dryer.
- Use caution with wooden bristle brushes.
EditThings You'll Need
- Bristled brush
- Nylon brush or comb
- 2 bowls or small containers
- Shampoo and baking soda or tea tree oil
- Toothbrush (clean)
- Towel
- Hair dryer
EditRelated wikiHows
- Clean Hairbrushes and Combs
- Brush Your Hair
- Clean a Paintbrush
- Care for a Badger Shaving Brush
- Wash Stuffed Animals
- Clean Hair Combs
EditSources and Citations
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How to Prevent Mold Growth on Bread
Jim PaullNice
Keeping bread fresh can be a challenging task for anyone, especially for smaller households and those living in hot, humid climates. Learning to store bread correctly is the easiest way to keep mold away, and to enjoy every loaf to its last crumb.
EditSteps
EditFreezing the Bread
- Cut bread into portions or slices. Cutting a frozen loaf is not easy and you won’t have to thaw the whole loaf with every use.
- Wrap up the loaf tightly. Wrapping the loaf with wax paper or foil will help keep moisture with the loaf and prevent freezer-burn. With soft bread, you can place wax paper between slices to prevent them from sticking together.[1]
- Place the loaf in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible by folding the bag around loaf as you close it after every use. That way the loaf should keep fresh for up to six months.[2]
- Allow the bread to thaw. When ready to eat, let pieces thaw in foil or paper before reheating, in order to let them reabsorb the moisture that migrated to the wrapping. This will ensure the texture of the bread is the same as the day it was first frozen.[3]
EditStoring in Cool, Dry Place
- Invest in a breadbox. Place your breadbox in a cool area away from heating elements that can accelerate mold growth. And since mold spores live in oxygen, the container should be airtight to keep the population low.[4]
- Keep the bread dry. Avoid touching the loaf with wet hands and never seal the loaf with visible moisture around it. This moisture when left at room temperature will accelerate mold growth.[5]
- Avoid the refrigerator. The temperature range of fridges can help against mold, but will make the bread go stale much faster. Unlike the freezer, the fridge will change the starch alignment in the bread, changing the texture of the bread greatly and quickly. [6]
EditMaking Longer Lasting Bread at Home
- Incorporate sourdough starter into recipe. Sourdough starter is basically a usable form of wild yeast which increases the bread’s acidity, deterring mold, as well as staleness.[7]
- Bake a denser style of bread. A dense loaf with a crisp crust will mold slower, think rustic Italian bread. Working additional flour into dough will increase density, and introducing steam to the baking loaf with a spray bottle will give a crispy crust.[8][9]
- Add some natural preservatives. Adding natural preservatives like lecithin or ascorbic acid help maintain moisture while reducing yeast and mold counts. Ingredients like garlic, cinnamon, honey, or clove also naturally fight mold growth, but will obviously influence the flavor significantly. [10][11]
EditTips
- Stale-tasting bread can be made edible again by baking it in an oven. Baking stale bread can bring back some of its flavor, but this process can only be performed once.
- To keep partially used loaves fresh for a few hours to a day, place exposed side down on cutting board and leave in open air.[12]
EditWarnings
- Do not breathe in or smell bread after signs of mold as it may cause respiratory problems.
- Do not consume bread with any signs of mold.
EditSources and Citations
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Dinner Recipe: Braised French Onion Chicken with Gruyère — Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners
Jim PaullYummy
Here's a warm, incredibly tasty dish that suits fall perfectly. Take a mess of caramelized onions, soupy and rich, and add a touch of mustard and some chicken thighs. Braise in the oven, then broil with a handful of Gruyère cheese. It's rich without being heavy, and deeply flavorful without too much work. I'm having this for dinner tonight — care to join me?
11 Outrageous Travel Perks… for Your Pets
It’s a scientific fact that dogs looks like their owners, so maybe it’s not such a stretch to think that some pooches might take after their human parents when it comes to holding certain standards — like demanding a plush bed of their own instead of whatever room is left over for them on the sofa. And with a recent survey concluding that as many as 52 percent of people travel with their pets, the hospitality industry has definitely upped its game when it comes to offering pet-friendly amenities, whether in the air or on the ground. If you’re planning a trip with a four-legged pal in the near future, you should know about some of the amazing perks available to them. Because they deserved to be pampered, too.
1. Bacon Water
Who wants regular water when you could be sipping on bacon-infused H2O? Certainly not your dog. At The ART, a creatively-minded hotel in downtown Denver, pups are treated to the meaty-tasting refreshment — just don’t ask them to share.
2. Pool Privileges
Even some of the pet-friendliest hotels in the world put a lot of restrictions on where your pooch can and cannot explore. If you’re planning to spend some time lounging by the pool on the rooftop of The London West Hollywood, feel free to bring your little ball of fluff with you. And make sure to sniff hello to Winston and Churchill, the hotel’s resident pups, who love hanging out poolside, too.
3. Beach Cabanas
Going one step beyond the poolside VIP treatment, Las Ventanas al Paraíso — a Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico — throws some shade at its canine guests with perfectly sized (and wonderfully portable) pet cabanas, which can be set up in your room, poolside or on the beach in order to offer your little guy a sweet retreat of his own, and from the sun.
4. Couples Massages
Taking a vacation is all about relaxing, and there are few better ways to kickstart your R&R than with the perfect massage. At The Betsy South Beach, situated in the perfect beachfront spot on Miami Beach’s famed Ocean Drive, you and Fido can opt for a Pampering with Pooch spa treatment at the hotel’s outdoor Wellness Garden & Spa. While you give your tired muscles over to one of the spa’s talented massage therapists, your pup can enjoy a gentle massage of his or her own, plus plenty of fresh water and healthy snacks.
Massages are also on the menu of pet amenities at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, though they’re done in-room for extra privacy. Visiting dogs are also treated to complimentary walks, courtesy of the Peninsula Pages, plus personalized towels, comfy doggie beds and an in-room dining menu for dogs’ eyes only.
5. Blueberry Facials
Not to be outdone, the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills offers a range of spa treatments for its canine guests, courtesy of Healthyspot. Among the services: baths with massage treatments, brush and hand-dry with blow-outs, moisturizing paw rubs and blueberry facials.
6. Comb-Outs
Four-legged visitors to Rome Cavalieri can take a cue from Contessa, the elegant Daschund who makes her home at the five-star Italian hotel. At the same time you book a treatment at the hotel’s Grand Spa, the hotel can arrange to have your little guy or gal transported to a nearby dog spa, La Domus Aventina, which specializes in doggie comb-outs.
7. Photo Shoots
You know your pup is the Gisele Bündchen of canines, and it’s about time the rest of the world found out. At The Iron Horse Hotel, a boutique property in Milwaukee, photo shoots are one of the fun perks the hotel offers its four-legged guests, where they can sit down — and possibly roll over — with a professional photographer for a photo shoot in your room or in the hotel lobby. The staff are also happy to arrange other services for you, including pet sitting, dog grooming and massages, with nearby vendors. All dogs are treated to an oversized pillow, food and water bowls, to-go water bowls, toys, dog treats and a room service menu that includes such delicacies as a Big Dog Burger (two patties served with a Milkbone treat) and the Chicken Chihuahua (grilled chicken breast).
8. Birthday Parties
A night out at a hotel is a popular way to spend one’s birthday — and there’s no reason your tail-wagger can’t do the same. At Chicago’s Virgin Hotels property, birthday celebrations are one unique way the hotel has managed to set itself apart from the Windy City’s other pet-friendly accommodations — no extra cost to bring your pet along is just another bonus. Just touch base with the hotel ahead of time to let them know you want to fete to your pet, and they’ll do all the heavy lifting so you can do what they like to call all the “heavy petting.”
9. Dog Parks
Dog parks are a common sight in towns and cities around the world, but onsite at a hotel? Not so much. At the Oceans Edge Key West Hotel & Marina in Key West, a portion of the hotel’s 20-plus acres of oceanfront property has been turned into a dedicated dog park, which offers guests — both human and otherwise — the chance to mingle with fellow pet lovers while visiting the Sunshine State.
10. Pet Psychics
Anyone who makes a habit of traveling with their pet(s) knows that the Kimpton chain loves every and all jet-setting animal that comes their way. In Oregon, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland hosts a nightly wine hour — pets are welcome — where a pet psychic often drops by to meet some of the property’s fuzzier guests and tries to get a read on any kind of stress or trouble they might be having. Pets will also get the chance to meet Dakota, a Golden Retriever who serves as the hotel’s Director of Pet Relations.
11. Reiki Massage
The doggie massages at the Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont, are not your average treatment: You can choose from the Rover Reiki massage, the pet version of Reiki — a light and gentle ancient Japanese form of energy work — or traditional muscle therapy massage, either one of which is done in your guest room for maximum comfort.
Featured image by the author.
Recipe: Vegetarian Chopped Liver with Shallots — Quick and Easy Appetizers
Jim PaullYummy
Chopped chicken liver (gehakte leber in Yiddish) was so iconic and central to the Eastern European Jewish diet that American Jews crafted a way to eat it with dairy as well as meat meals. The meatless version, known as either vegetarian chopped liver or mock chopped liver, rose to prominence in the scores of dairy restaurants that once slung blintzes, cheesecake, and borscht with sour cream on New York City's Lower East Side.
Petronas: Internal probe led to MACC arrest of 3 men
Jim PaullUp to three
PETALING JAYA: The arrest of three individuals, including a senior Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) officer, by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday followed an internal investigation by the oil and gas company.
PCSB’s parent company Petronas released a statement today confirming the arrests, saying it had filed a complaint with the anti-graft agency after its own investigations into the staff concerned.
“Petronas does not condone nor tolerate any form of misconduct among its employees and contractors, and is extending its fullest cooperation to MACC to further assist in its investigation if necessary,” Petronas said in its statement.
Yesterday, the MACC said it arrested three individuals over suspected graft involving RM23.7 million.
The 45-year-old PCSB officer, who is a project delivery manager, was reportedly detained at his office in Petronas Twin Towers, while the 57-year-old director of a company which had been a contractor for PCSB was arrested at his house in Jalan Cheras.
The third individual, a 28-year-old former PCSB technical assistant, was detained at his home in Puncak Alam.
Meanwhile, today, MACC received a remand order to hold the three men for six days.
The men were believed to have submitted three inflated invoices for a drilling project between April and June 2015.
PCSB had made full payment to the company but no work was ever carried out, MACC had said.
Meanwhile, Petronas emphasised its ongoing efforts to check any form of corruption in its organisation and vast network of services and suppliers.
“Petronas has since 2012 been working closely with the MACC to curb and prevent corruption and misconduct, not just among employees within its group of companies, but also among contractors and third-party service providers.”
MACC nabs Petronas Carigali officer, 2 others over suspected graft
Woman loses RM15,000 in valuables after gang robbery in launderette
Jim Paull15k worth of blind at a laundromat? Something sounds fishy.
PETALING JAYA: A woman allegedly lost RM15,000 worth of valuables during a gang robbery at a launderette in Taman Sri Gombak last Friday.
Video footage of the robbery which has gone viral on social media shows the woman being approached by two men wearing motorcycle helmets.
One of them threatens her with a machete, demanding that she hand over her valuables, while the other stands watch over the other customers.
The robber grabs the woman’s handbag and directs her to a corner of the launderette, apparently demanding that she give up more valuables.
A third robber then enters the launderette and removes jewellery from the woman’s wrist.
All three robbers then flee the scene.
According to the time stamp on the video, the entire incident takes place in just over two minutes.
The Star reported that police are looking for the robbers after the woman lodged a police report, claiming she had lost RM15,000 in valuables including her mobile phone, jewellery and RM1,000 in cash.
The case is being investigated for gang robbery, the report added.
How To Make 2-Ingredient Griddled Flatbreads — Cooking Lessons from The Kitchn
Jim PaullSo easy.
If you want a quick, fresh-off-the-griddle flatbread, it doesn't get much easier than this dough that uses just two ingredients. In just about 30 minutes from start to finish, you'll be tucking into tender flatbreads that can be eaten with dip, rolled up with your favorite fillings, or used to sop up something saucy that you're serving for dinner.
Oh, and guess what? There's no stand mixer or special equipment required. Here's how we do it.
This 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Alfredo Is Calling Your Name — Delicious Links
Jim PaullNo no no pumpkin 🎃 and pasta is evil 😈
Technically the first day of autumn isn't until September 22, but if you're already plotting apple-picking trips and pulling your coziest sweaters out of storage, you'll also want to bookmark this fettuccine with pumpkin Alfredo sauce immediately. With only five ingredients, it's the quick comfort-food recipe you'll turn to again and again all season long.
Cat 5 Irma Creates Massive Damage In Leeward Islands; Florida Next
Jim PaullIt's stuff like this that shows us just how tiny we are; this is global, just imagine universal?
Is it still too early to talk about climate change? Ha ha, just kidding! We've always had weather, amirite?
More bad news: We now have Tropical Storm #Jose in the Atlantic behind #Irma. Expected to become a hurricane in 36-48 hours. pic.twitter.com/pGP3gHLEcI
— Steven Shepard (@POLITICO_Steve) September 5, 2017
.@Ginger_Zee: Irma passed over Barbuda with winds so strong the anemometer, the instrument measuring the wind, broke https://t.co/cZUdmVms2b pic.twitter.com/8FHVav2M53
— ABC News (@ABC) September 6, 2017
Look at the videos from the island of St. Martin, which took a direct hit.
You Might Not Need to Eat as Many Fruits and Veggies as You Think — Food News
Jim PaullOrly
The age-old advice for fruit and veggie consumption is that adults need at least five servings of produce a day. But is that really the truth, and is it still relevant? According to a new study, you don't need quite as much. The study, published in the Lancet, recommends just three to four servings a day of combined fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Are Women Wearing Too Much Makeup? And Why Does The Atlantic Care?
Jim PaullAnother
This 2014 article is making the rounds again, fueled by an inflammatory headline. It’s a pretty straightforward write-up of the research, but the headline is driving angry shares from the way it puts the blame on women.
Keep Your Canned Goods Organized with This Handy Organizer — Amazon Deal of the Day
Jim PaullOr get a raskog
Whether you've got a tiny kitchen and are obsessed with making the most out of your limited storage space or you've got a dedicated pantry space that you're trying to make super functional, keeping everything organized is key to achieving either goal.
While there are a ton of storage solutions on the market specifically for kitchen cabinets and pantries, we love this simple canned food organizer.
10 Vegetarian Meals from the Slow Cooker — Recipes from The Kitchn
Jim PaullHow many more weeks?
Need some inspiration for working an extra meatless dinner into your meal plan? Look no further than your slow cooker. When the slow cooker's involved, you know cooking is bound to be an easy affair.
From a light, bright noodle soup and tikka masala to veggie pot pie and cheesy enchiladas, here are 10 vegetarian meals to make in your slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Recipe: Cheesy Panade with Swiss Chard, Beans & Sausage — Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners
Jim PaullSoy in place of sausage.
A panade is one of those dishes that is way better than it has any right to be — or than it looks to be. It's an assembly of day-old bread, shredded cheese, and handy pantry ingredients (in this case, white beans, Swiss chard, and sausage) that gets doused with broth and baked until bubbly, like a savory bread pudding meets French onion soup. Not quite a soup and not quite a casserole, it's something more: the best of both worlds.
30 Ways to Cook with Apple Cider Vinegar
Jim PaullJust in time.
Apple Cider Vinegar Isn't the Miracle Elixir It's Cracked Up to Be
Jim PaullOr not
Apple cider vinegar has been a multipurpose folk remedy for decades, touted as a disinfectant, a natural way to replenish skin and hair, and a superfood with all kinds of benefits. Science has backed a few of these purposes, for vinegar in general, but the observable results are pretty meh.
This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Casserole Cooks in One Skillet — Delicious Links
Jim PaullOoooo
Happy Labor Day! Right now you're probably thinking about what you're going to bring to your friend's backyard BBQ later today, but when dinner sneaks up on you this week and you have no idea what to make, this chicken and broccoli casserole will be waiting for you.
Sushi outlet closes branch after video of salmon left on garbage bin
Jim PaullUg
PETALING JAYA: Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Mentai today apologised to its customers and temporarily closed its branch in Mahkota Cheras.
This follows the emergence of a video spread over social media that apparently shows unhygienic food handling at the premises.
The company announced on Facebook that the branch would be closed from today until further notice.
It said the branch had been directed to undergo a thorough clean-up.
On top of that, it is sending its staff for retraining to abide by the set guidelines.
It said all staff must follow the required guidelines in hygiene, food preparation and operating procedures.
A social media user yesterday uploaded a 10-minute video clip on Facebook which showed a tray full of cut salmon being placed on top of a garbage bin at the restaurant.
It elicited criticisms from netizens against the management of the restaurant for allegedly not giving priority to hygiene.
The company today said it implemented strict controls at each of its outlets.
“Outlets that do not meet our monthly audit guidelines will be guided to take corrective actions immediately,” it said.
“Once again, we sincerely apologise for what has happened and thank you in advance for your understanding of this matter,” it added.
https://www.facebook.com/christy107/videos/10159233996220058/
Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
Here are eight of the best photos that readers added to the Consumerist Flickr Pool in the last week, picked for usability in a Consumerist post or for just plain neatness.
Want to see your pictures on our site? Our Flickr pool is the place where Consumerist readers upload photos for possible use in future Consumerist posts. Just be a registered Flickr user, go here, and click “Join Group?” up on the top right. Choose your best photos, then click “send to group” on the individual images you want to add to the pool.
Police pledge action against driver in Johor hit-and-run case
SINGAPORE: Johor traffic police chief Supt Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said “action will be taken” against the driver who allegedly crashed his car into two 25-year-old Singaporeans in Johor Baru.
Undergraduate Justinian Tan was killed while his friend Brandon Yeo broke a bone in his thigh in the Aug 25 accident. The duo and four other friends had driven across the Causeway for supper.
The victims’ friends had said earlier that the Johor police told them that the driver was not arrested even though he had turned himself in.
In a telephone interview with TODAY, Dzulkhairi said the driver involved in the accident “will be arrested”.
Tan, a student at Kaplan Singapore, was pronounced brain dead at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on Monday, and taken off life support early on Wednesday.
The accident happened at about 3am on Aug 25 when the six friends, all primary schoolmates, were about to enter their car parked at Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, about a 15-minute drive from the Johor Baru customs complex.
Another car swerved towards them, hitting Tan and Yeo.
Yeo, an insurance agent, broke his femur, but has since been discharged from hospital.
Joshua De Rozario, a member of the group, told TODAY the errant car’s brake lights were not even on, and it “kept going straight” at them.
“Justinian flew about 15 to 20 metres (and started) choking and moving frantically with blood in his mouth,” said the 25-year-old medical imaging student, who tried to remove the blood and saliva from his friend’s mouth.
The driver then drove off instead of helping them, the friends said. The rest of them were not injured.
The police and ambulance arrived about 30 minutes later. By then, about 100 people had gathered along the street.
When the victims arrived at Johor’s Sultanah Aminah Hospital, De Rozario said they were asked to pay RM2,700 first before the medical crew would conduct scans on the two men, according to the news report.
The friends were told of the duo’s prognosis about four hours later.
The hospital then requested another RM1,350, as Tan needed an operation because he had severe bleeding and a blood clot in the left side of his brain.
His parents, who had arrived at the hospital by then, were told their son had a “50-50 chance of survival”.
However, when they were told that the brain operation would be conducted by a “medical officer” instead of a surgeon, the family asked for Tan to be transferred to SGH, said Jaslene Tan, 29, one of his three siblings.
The family also sought help from the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru for the cross-border hospital transfer, and it arranged for a Malaysia-operated private ambulance.
Jaslene said the ambulance ride back to Singapore took an hour and 15 minutes. The ambulance personnel told the family that they could not use the ambulance siren as they might be issued with a traffic summon.
By the time Tan was admitted to SGH, it had been almost 10 hours since the accident. Doctors at the hospital said that too long a time had passed, and “Justinian’s injuries were too severe”, said De Rozario.
De Rozairo filed a police report on Tuesday upon hearing that the car had been identified.
Peter Ong, director of Templars Law LLC in Singapore, told TODAY that in a hit-and-run case, the Malaysian police would typically “find the plate number and go to the (driver’s) house” to complete a report.
“They might not arrest on the spot, but they may charge the person when investigations reveal (more) later … (It’s not unfair in the sense that) they are still investigating the incident. It is not letting him (the driver involved in an accident) off,” said Ong, a Malaysian who used to practise law in his country.
“But in Singapore, they would arrest first, then (the driver) would be let out on bail.”
This TCL 55" P-Series TV Deal Will Make You Want to Do a Touchdown Dance
Jim PaullMmmm wonder if they ship....
TCL’s P-series TV line is already one of the best deals in home entertainment, and today, you can save even more on the 55" model with promo code TCLONKTLA.
Recipe: Fast and Fancy Lemon Biscuits — Quick and Easy Baking
Jim PaullLooks dry and sour.
This play on classic cream biscuits gets a fresh upgrade with help from sunny citrus and a finishing touch of coarse sugar. They skew slightly sweet, making for tender, pillowy biscuits that instantly feel a little bit more fancy. I love them with a spread of jam in the morning, or piled high with fruit and cream for dessert.