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How Colour Can Change your World
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MATT MORAN
TOP MONEY HACKS 2020
Marie Kondo Proudly brought to you by:
Contents 6
MARIE KONDO RESET YOUR ENTIRE LIFE
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TOP 10 TIPS FOR RENOVATING YOUR BATHROOM
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HOW COLOUR CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD
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DOˊS AND DONˊTS: RENOVATING FOR PROFIT
TOP TIPS FOR CREATING A VERTICAL GARDEN
TOP MONEY HACKS FOR 2020
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SOFT & CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
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GARDEN TO PLATE WITH MATT MORAN
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HOW TO HAVE A 5 STAR HOLIDAY WITHOUT LEAVING HOME!
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MATT MORANËŠS FISH TACOS
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Tas Moulis, QPaint.
Welcome to Home & Living Magazine, where we blend inspirational ideas with practical information, and professional advice to help you transform your home to reflect your own personal style. Whether you are improving your own home or fixing up to sell, you will find plenty of great advice within our magazine to get your home looking its
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best with ease.
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Marie Kondo Reset Your Entire Life
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When she was 19, her friends began offering her money for a tidying services and she began her tidying consultant business while at university in Tokyo. Today, Kondo has become a renowned tidying expert, helping people around the world to transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. She has sold nearly six million copies of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which has been on the New York Times best-seller list for 86 weeks, taking tidying to a whole new level, teaching that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you'll never have to do it again. Kondo now offers a formal training program for her KonMari method, changing lives one item at a time. Followers call themselves Konverts, and claim their lives have truly changed as a result of using her decluttering methods. "It is life transforming. I mean it." Kondo writes. Her method makes people reconsider their relationship to material things and become a fierce guard of what comes into the house. Kondo's approach has staying power because it prompts people to fundamentally revisit why
they own what they own. That, and the fact that baby boomers are wanting to downsize for the first time and younger generations are no longer interested in inheriting their parents' old junk. Her program includes a "once-in-alifetime tidying marathon," which means piling up five categories of material possessions - clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items and sentimental items, including photos, in that order.
“When you tidy each place separately, you’re repeating the same work in many locations. You will never grasp the overall volume of each type of thing you own.�
Hold each item to see if it sparks joy in your body. The ones that spark joy get to stay. The ones that don't get a heartfelt and generous goodbye, via actual verbal communication, and are then sent on their way to their next life. This alleviates regret. Paperwork should be confined to three folders: needs immediate attention, must be kept for now, must be kept forever, the rest must go. Take pictures of children's art they made in school, and if you must, some trinkets from grandparents. Accept that a need to hang onto each actual item is each one thread binding you. The big picture is to release the bind, which means releasing all the threads of the bind. There is no half-in approach to achieving the end result.
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Enchanted with organising since her childhood, Marie Kondo read all of her mother's homemaking magazines. She felt so overwhelmed by all her family's possessions, as early as elementary school began researching various tidying methods.
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Before you throw them out, Marie wants you to thank them for their service. She wants you to thank that blue dress you never wore, tell it how grateful you are that it taught you how blue wasn't really your colour. Feeling a little wobbly? Finding the project too exhausting, avoiding the pile, shifting it back and forth between the chair and the bed? Remember - "A dramatic reorganisation of the home causes correspondingly dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective," Kondo writes. The KonMari Method has drawn people from all around the world to its philosophy, not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forwardlooking. Here are the basics:
The KonMari MethodTM
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Most tidying methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever.
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The KonMari MethodTM encourages tidying by category - not by location - beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service - then let them go.
Commit The KonMari MethodTM is a chance to reset your entire life - but only if you commit to following its principles. Setting the intention to seriously tidy up - and resolving to put in the time and effort required - is the first rule of tidying. Approach your tidying with a clear vision and a can-do attitude. The effort will be worth it in the end. Not only will you experience the joy of living with objects you love, but you'll also be on the path to establishing your ideal lifestyle.
Imagine This process is not about decluttering your house for visitors, it is to spark joy in your life and change it forever. Really think about what kind of house you want to live in and how you want to live in it. If you like drawing, sketch out what it looks like. If you prefer to write, describe it in a notebook. You can also cut out photos from magazines. When you imagine your ideal lifestyle, you are really clarifying why you want to tidy and envisioning your best life.
Finish discarding properly Focus on what you want to keep. Cherish the items that bring you joy, and let go of the rest with gratitude. Discarding is an important part of the process because it provides an opportunity to learn from your past experiences. If you let go of a belonging you never used, it taught that you have no purpose for something like it in your life. Thinking
Tidy by category, not location People often store the same type of item in more than one place. When you tidy each place separately, you're repeating the same work in many locations. You will never grasp the overall volume of each type of thing you own - you're more likely to keep the paperclips in your office if you don't take into account the stockpile in the attic. The result is that you become locked in a never-ending cycle of tidying.
Follow the right order The order in which you tidy is crucial. Tidying your belongings in this order - clothes, books, papers, komono and sentimental items - has proven to be the most efficient and effective. By starting with clothes (relatively
easy) and ending with sentimental items (challenging), you hone your decision making skills as you go; by the end, choosing what to keep seems simple. There's another reason clothes come first: Completing that category provides tangible proof of your efforts. Being greeted by your favorite clothes in a tidied closet each morning is motivation to keep going! Your energy and enthusiasm increases; you may be physically tired, but getting rid of unnecessary clutter acts as an invigorating pick-me-up.
Does it spark joy? You've probably heard "Discard anything you haven't used in two years," or "Every time you buy something new, get rid of something old." But Marie's method is different. In the KonMari Method™, your feelings are the standard for decision making - specifically, knowing what sparks joy. To determine this when tidying, the key is to pick up each object one at a time, and ask yourself quietly, "Does this spark joy?" Pay attention to how your body responds. Joy is personal, so everyone will experience it differently; Marie describes it as "a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising."
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deeply about each item you discard will affect how you live and acquire new things moving forward. On a practical level, discarding first also allows you to have an accurate grasp of how much actually needs to be stored. Only after you've discarded properly can you turn your full energy and attention to that which brings joy or that you truly need.
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HOW
COLOUR CAN CHANGE
YOUR WORLD There seems to be endless colours to choose from when you want to change up your living spaces at home. But making sure you choose the right colour and not slapping any one on your walls can make a world of difference.
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colour can determine the mood of a space and depending on lighting or the size of a space, a colour can either be so right or completely wrong. We have done some of the hard yards for you, and have compiled a few simple tips for choosing colour in your home.
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attention to the fact that your room isn't lit very well. With darker shades, it can make the space feel smaller and dismal. By using lighter colours, you also create opportunities to use accent colours in smaller furniture and dĂŠcor items to bring even more brightness to your room.
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Minimal Lighting: In rooms with minimal lighting you want to open them up and keep it lively. Choosing colours or shades that are light, like whites, off whites and creams, can keep a space feeling open and inviting. Rooms within the home that can often be left with minimal lighting can be bedrooms, studies, bathrooms and hallways. Choosing darker colours will only draw
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Open Spaces: This is where the fun and play begins with your redecorating. Large open spaces create fantastic opportunities to splash wonderful vibrant colours in your home. You donËŠt have to go too bold and paint your house fuchsia, but bold enough that it creates a wow factor. Due to the larger size of the room, using a brighter colour won't make it feel any smaller. Creating a feature wall in these spaces can also create lustrous moods that will make guests feel invited, and leave your home envious of your beautiful colour choices.
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Natural Light: Rooms filled with natural light are already welcoming and comforting, but you can go two ways with these rooms. You can choose neutral tones such as greys and whites with accented furniture, dĂŠcor and plants. Or, you can go full colour! Either way your room will be filled with colour and warmth. Rooms that are often filled with natural light within open plan living homes are the kitchen and living. Within the kitchen, a feature splashback using a more vibrant colour can bring excitement to the kitchen and get you ready to cook up a storm.
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TOP 10 TIPS FOR RENOVATING YOUR BATHROOM
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n effective bathroom design should address all your needs, both physically and aesthetically! Whether it's a bathroom sanctuary with colours and textures inspired by nature or a Hamptons-style bathroom full of marble and an 'all-white' feel, here are the most important tips to consider when renovating your bathroom. Organisation is key Successful renovations need to follow a strict schedule, especially bathroom renovations as they involve so many different tradesmen and fittings. It's important to hire professionals who are qualified to do the job required to do. You may find this a little daunting to do on your own, but do not fear as bathroom renovation companies can do all this for you
Small bathrooms are still good bathrooms If space is your issue, then make the most of every centimetre available by adding recessed niches in the shower and above the bathtub and mirrorfronted recessed shaving cabinets above the vanity.
To stand or to hang? Choosing the right vanity is crucial when creating a functional bathroom. Whether its floor standing or wall hung, the vanity you choose may be the focal point in your bathroom so make sure it's a statement piece as well as a functional storage unit. Vanities with hidden storage systems, rubbish bins, towel racks or tilt-out drawers will help your bathroom stay organised and clean, as well as look great from the outside.
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Minimise a full house of dirt Work sites can be dusty and dirty, so to avoid dust and dirt travelling to the rest of your house, cover all adjacent doorways with plastic covers and use drop sheets on the floors leading from the entryway to the bathroom.
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Creating space In a small bathroom, a normal hinged door can be quite space consuming so its always good to consider other options such as a sliding door that's hidden in an in-wall cavity, creating a designer look while saving on space. No leaking, please! Ensure that the waterproofing is done by a licenced waterproofer and not just a tiler who says he can waterproof. After the waterproofing is complete the waterproofer should provide you with a certificate of warranty of a minimum of six years. Up, up and out To prevent mould build-up, ventilation is key. To ensure adequate ventilation, install an exhaust fan or an IXL. Either one of these will make sure that the moist air will assist in the removal of steam from the bathroom and the roof space.
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Bigger can be better When deciding on which tiles to use in your bathroom, first consider their size as the smaller the tile, the more time consuming the tile laying process will be which can lead to extra charges. Bigger tiles will make the room look bigger and you will have less grout lines to clean. Also, If you are using a tile other than white, consider a darker grout that will not show up marks as much as white grout.
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Paint, paint, paint! When painting any part of the bathroom, make sure the painter uses paint suitable for wet areas as it contains an anti-mould agent.
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the fInal clean up The after-renovation clean-up process can be a tiresome job but using a warm damp cloth from water on marble or stone tile, or using cleaning vinegar on normal ceramic tiles will ensure that your tiles and bathroom are clean and dust free in no time!
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Do's and Don’ts:
Renovating for ProfIt Whether you're planning to sell your home, simply want to give it a fresh look, or you've bought a renovation project with the goal of a profit, there are plenty of ways you can maximise your results with these simple do's and don'ts.
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DO: BUDGET FOR MORE THAN YOU NEED
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It's a general rule that you should put together a budget for your project and then raise that price by 15-25% to achieve the actual amount that the renovation will cost. Time and time again, renovators get excited about their renovation and overspend, only to be left with no money in their budget, and a half finished project. It's always better to allocate more money to that project, because that way you will be able to afford everything, plus, if spending It's a general rule that you should put together a budget for your project and then raise that price by 15-25% to achieve the actual amount that the renovation will cost. It's always better to allocate more money to that project, because that way you will be able to afford everything, plus, if spending all goes to plan you'll be left over with extra money which is never a bad thing.
DON'T: SKIMP ON CHEAP MATERIALS
DO: GIVE THE EXTERIOR A 'WOW' FACTOR They say you only have seven seconds to make a strong first impression, and when it comes to homes, this is especially true. When a person is in the market to buy a house, if they're blown away and impressed as soon as they pull up, this tends to translate to excitement and they will enter the house in a positive mindset. On the other hand, even if your interiors are of the highest standard and beautifully done, if a potential buyer is deterred on their first impression, it can be harder to get them interested. So, it's important to invest money into making sure both your garden and the exterior of the house are up to standard. Check things like; is the paint chipped at all? Is the roof perfect? Is the paving clean and perfectly laid?
DON'T: FORGET THE SMALL DETAILS Sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest impact when it comes to selling your home. If a renovation isn't finished perfectly, it will look unfinished and this will bring down the value when selling. Things like making sure skirting boards are perfectly straight and light fittings that are perfectly matched are of utmost importance. The finishing touches are basically what make or break a remodel or renovation. Things that you may not initially notice, like proper lighting height and finished balustrades are all a part of the final look. Pay attention to those details to really bring your project to life.
DO: ENLIST THE HELP OF PROFESSIONALS While watching TV shows like 'The Block' and 'House Rules' may make D.I.Y. home renovation look fun and totally achievable, don't be fooled. Even these people enlist the help of professionals in almost every avenue. While the contestants may spend a lot of time on things like decor, other jobs are left to contractors. It's important that you find a team to work with who genuinely love working with people who have a creative idea of exactly what they want and are excited about it! They will work together with you on every detail to make sure your dream house becomes a reality, so it's important to find a great fit.
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Trying to cut costs on vital and important structural elements is just going to give you a headache down the road. A higher quality material that may cost you only slightly more when you're installing it, in the long run is going to cost a lot less than completely replacing a cheaper material when it breaks. Plus, high quality materials not only look nicer and last longer, but they also ensure a higher standard of safety. These elements all covert to a higher selling price when the renovated home is put on the market.
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Money Hacks For 2020
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DO YOUR RESEARCH Stop upgrading your phone Are you still paying for your mobile phone in your contract? You might think you are getting a great deal, but you are pretty much renting your phone for a much higher price. You should simply buy your phone, keep it for a few good years and switch to a much cheaper plan. You can find prepaid plans for as low as $10 a month. REVIEW YOUR SERVICE PROVIDERS This one often goes over many people's heads, but how long have you had your insurance policy for? If it's over a year and your driving record hasn't changed, chances are they'll offer you a cheaper rate. The current rate you're paying was established on your driving record however many years ago it was that you signed up. If you've been accident-free for a while, it can make a big difference to your premiums to make the call. The same is true for your utility companies.
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There are often competing providers all with adjusted rates for new customers. Call and compare and you could start seeing substantial savings for the items you have to pay for. Set a calendar reminder every year to let you know when your contracts are up, and to shop around again for the best deal.
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SHOPPING
brewing cuts your cost to about $0.25 per cup.
Get money back every time you spend I mean, if you're going to shop at the store anyway, why not? Did you know there are sites that you can shop through and receive a rebate? It's free cash! Rebates are a great way to either snag incredible sales or get cashback on your purchases. Rakuten leads the way in this area, by giving you up to 10% cashback on things you were going to buy anyway! Rakuten lets you start a shopping trip, and every time you find an item with a Rakuten link, purchase it through there. You'll earn cashback. Other apps who do this are Swagbucks, MyPoints, and Paribus. You'll definitely find your favorite retailers listed in one of these apps. It works much the same, but with the added bonus of being able to watch videos or do surveys to earn gift cards to major re tailers.
Carry large bills. If you pay in cash rather than credit card, you will likely spend less. The reason? You can actually see what you're spending when you use cash. And to take it a step further, if you only carry $50 dollar bills you are less likely to break it, which saves you from making impulse buys.
Brew your own coffee. Can't kick your coffee habit? Instead of spending $3 per cup at your fancy coffee shop, try brewing coffee at home. Doing so will save you thousands of dollars per year-home
Try a non-spending day Have you ever had a no-spend day? Ever tried not to touch your wallet for 24 hours? The trick is to prepare ahead of time. It's much easier if you do it during the workday, as you'll probably want to treat yourself over the weekend. Walk or cycle to the office, bring your lunch and drink the free coffee work provides. On your way home, don't be tempted to stop at the grocery store. Cook a healthy meal for dinner, and read a book or watch a free movie in the evening. You'll be surprised at how much you'll learn. And if you are up for a real challenge, go for a non-spending week! You'll learn that there are many things you can easily live without (and some that are really hard to give up!).
Shop for food online When I started shopping for food online, I wasn't sure I would be making much in terms of savings. But the reality is that by shopping online, you'll be less tempted to buy food that you don't need! You can save quite a lot, especially if you know what you need to buy (see above - write a list and stick to it!) Buy seasonal produce It not only tastes better, but it is also better. Produce that is in season is more likely to have more of the vitamins and nutrients you're looking for in your food, and because less money has been spent in shipping, it's often cheaper.
MEALTIMES
Eat less meat Planning a few meatless meals a week is not only good for your bank balance, it's great for your body too. Meat is expensive, and by making a few meals plant-based, you'll not only see a saving in your grocery bill, but you'll also be contributing to your future health. Get creative and see what your new vegetarian dinner is!
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Bring your lunch to work We all start the year with good intentions, going out with co-workers only on Fridays. But before we know it, we end up going out every day! With an average work lunch costing up to $15-a-day in a big city, you can end up spending over $3000 a year on work lunches alone! I am not asking you to pack your lunch every day, but if you prepare your lunch at home 2-3 times a week, you can easily save more than $1,500 a year!
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y w e h C & t f So e t a l o c o Ch s e i k o o C p i h C
INGREDIENTS » » » » » » » » »
125g butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup caster sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla essence 1 cup self-raising flour 3/4 cup plain flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 cup dark chocolate chips
METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 160C. 2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat (or in a microwave) and set to slightly cool. 3. Pour butter into a large bowl and stir in brown sugar and caster sugar until smooth and sugar is mostly dissolved. 4. Lightly whisk the egg into the sugar mixture along with the vanilla essence. 5. Sift plain and self-raising flour and baking powder together into a small bowl and then gradually mix into sugar mixture until combined. 6. Next, add in chocolate chips. Scoop sounded tablespoon of the cookie mixture onto lined baking tray. 7. Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. -Serves 18
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These are absolutely the most amazing chocolate chip cookies ever!
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TOP TIPS
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For Creating a Vertical Garden
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With the rise in popularity of apartment living, itˊs not unusual to not have a garden space. However, this doesnˊt mean you need to miss out on green living, or the homely feel that comes with plants and flowers. In recent years vertical gardens have gained popularity at a rapid pace, and for good reason. With a vertical garden you can enjoy the beauty of flora and fauna, without taking up too much precious space. Here we take you through some top tip for creating your own sustainable green wall.
Get Inspired
When it comes to vertical gardens the amount of different styles, shapes and ways to create are endless. So, if youˊre not exactly sure how youˊd like yours to look - or where you want it to go - shop around on the internet of inspiration. One of the best sites you can check out and draw ideas from would be Pinterest. Here, youˊll find thousands of different vertical garden ideas which should get your creative juices flowing!
Decide on plant type
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Planning is important when it comes to a vertical garden. Think about what look youˊd like - do you want your vertical garden bursting with a kaleidoscopic array of colours? Would prefer leafy greens? Or perhaps youˊre keen on a vertical garden vegetable patch! When you decide on which plants to use youˊll need to take this into account so that you can figure out where to place your garden. Some plants with require more sunlight than others, while some are more flexible than others where they fall, and this is important to know when considering where youˊll be placing them.
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Donˊt skimp on the soil
While the soil certainly isn'tˊ the exciting part when it comes to creating a vertical garden, itˊs possibly the most important. If you donˊt prepare your vertical garden properly, itˊs not going to flourish and possibly wither and die not a good look for any kind of garden. Itˊs important to remember that vertical gardens dry out quickly because gravity pulls the water down. So, the absolute key to a successful vertical garden is using good quality potting soil so that the plants can thrive.
Consider weight
Yes, vertical gardens look uber cool, but there are a few aspects you need to take into account than just the finish. With all the plants, infrastructure and soil vertical gardens can be HEAVY. Have you ever tried to hang a heavy painting and had trouble? Times that by about ten fold and thatˊs what most vertical gardens will weigh. You need to make sure that youˊve got the correct tools that will keep the garden vertical and not collapse or fall down soon after, ruining all your hard work and potentially being a safety hazard.
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Create an environment
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When done correctly, a vertical garden will certainly add a gorgeous feel to an area, but you shouldnˊt leave all the hard work to the vertical area alone. For example, if the vertical garden is placed on your balcony, accentuate it with extras placed around, like paintings, a cute sofa, a small water feature and a BBQ. Now, you have an area that is worthy of your friends endless compliments and somewhere you'll want to spend all your time.
Strata
While, in theory, a vertical garden sounds like the perfect addition to any apartment, in reality, there are some things that are absolutely vital to consider before moving ahead with the project. If youˊre living in a strata complex (most apartment buildings are) then you need to make sure your vertical garden passes the strataˊs guidelines otherwise youˊre at risk of them removing it all together. Hereˊs some things to consider: 1. THE WEIGHT Adding a huge amount of extra weight to an area like your balcony can run the risk of being unsafe. So, check your strata guidelines or consult your strata directly to see if this is allowed in your building. 2. DRAINAGE All gardens require drainage, but vertical gardens especially so as gravity pulls the water down. You need to consider where the water will go - if your neighbour above built a garden and it was draining down onto your balcony you wouldn't be happy! So this is something to also keep in mind.
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3. CONSTRUCTION If youˊre considering doing some renovation to your balcony to accentuate your vertical garden space then you must keep in mind strata rules. You may need to get permission from your strata to do any sort of building, plus some starts donˊt allow BBQˊs because of smoke drift and safety risk.
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Garden To Plate With
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Matt Moran wants everyone to enjoy garden to table cooking.
How can the hobby gardener get involved in your paddock to plate style of eating?
Having grown up on a farm, it's no surprise Matt Moran has always prioritised using fresh, seasonal and locally produced food in his cooking. Now a hugely successful chef and restaurateur, he believes anyone can grow their own food - then eat it!
Matt: Whether you have a balcony or 100 acres of farming land you can incorporate some form of 'growing your own' into your everyday cooking. If you have a window then you can still utilise fresh herbs or chillies which don't take up much space at all. If you have a medium size space, then a nice citrus tree is really exciting to watch go crazy when in season too! If you have a larger plot then the soil is your playground. Take photos of the area you wish to grow produce and don't be afraid to ask your nursery grower what would be best in that space.
Matt: I grew up on a cattle and dairy farm in country NSW and I still own a farm to this day that provides beef and lamb to my restaurant. Farming is in the family - I'm fourth-generation and looking back, my childhood definitely installed in me a love of farming, food and living off the land. Fresh, local and in season produce is a big part of my life and cooking. I'm a firm believer in the importance of consumers being connected to the source of their food. Do your restaurants follow that philosophy too? Matt: Both Chiswick and Chiswick at the Gallery have a kitchen garden that the chefs frequent to pick fresh greens, garnishes, fruit and vegetables each day. If it's out of season, it's not on the menu. I feel really passionate about supporting local and regional producers, growers and farmers! They each have their own unique stories and knowing them makes eating that more special.
Where should newbies begin? Matt: Start small. You don't need to have an Instagram worthy veggie garden overnight. Only select a few fruits and/or veg and learn how to look after them. If you don't feel like you can commit to a full veggie patch, even a small community garden that everyone can look after and enjoy with fresh herbs is a fantastic way to dip your toe in. What about our choices when it comes to shopping? Matt: Shopping at the local farmers markets or seeking out a great local butcher or fishmonger will mean fresh, in season produce that's fresher, more flavoursome and better for you a well. They'll take out the fuss and stress of figuring out what's the freshest ingredients, and what's in season. Stop and chat with the YOURHOME
Why is provenance of food so important to you?
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suppliers. They will give you fantastic tips right then and there. I'll be the first to say that as a chef, it doesn't matter how skilled you are if you don't have access to great quality produce. What did growing up in a family of farmers teach you? Matt: I'm so inspired by our farmers and growers. It makes all the difference in the world. Throughout my childhood we, like most farmers, hit both bad times and good and I thank this rural upbringing for instilling in me a work ethic and a certain toughness. It also gave me a genuine understanding of just how hard farmers work to supply us with the food we rely on at every meal and the quality we demand. What’s next for you? Matt: Next up I have a couple of restaurant projects happening and my TV program Family Food Fight on Channel Nine. I never sit still, there is always something on the go... you'll just have to wait to find out what!
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“Inspired by growers”
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To find out more about Matt and subscribe to get his Top 10 recipes visit: mattmoran.com.au
Matt Moran’s
FISH TACOS INGREDIENTS » Vegetable oil, for deep-frying » 400 g (14 oz) skinless firm white fish fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces » Seasoned plain (all-purpose) flour, for dusting » 6 white corn tortillas » 150 g (5 1/2 oz) white cabbage, shredded » Coriander (cilantro) leaves, lime wedges and pickled jalapeño chillies, to serve
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Tomato salsa » » » » »
2 tomatoes, diced 2 spring onions (scallions), thinly sliced 1 fresh jalapeño chilli, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 small handful coriander (cilantro) leaves, finely chopped » Juice of 1 lime » 2 tablespoons olive oil » Pinch of ground cumin Sour cream sauce » » » »
200 ml (7 fl oz) sour cream 60 g (2 1/4 oz/ 1/4 cup) Greek-style yoghurt Juice of 1 lime Ground chilli, to taste
Batter
Serves 6
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» 1 egg » 150 g (5 1/2 oz/1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour » 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
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METHOD
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1.
To make the tomato salsa, combine the ingredients in a bowl, season to taste and set aside.
2.
To make the sour cream sauce, mix the ingredients in a bowl until smooth and combined, season to taste and set aside.
3.
Preheat the oil in a deep-fat fryer or large saucepan to 200oC (400oF). To make the batter, whisk the egg until light and fluffy, then fold in the flour, bicarbonate of soda and 250 ml (9 fl oz/ 1 cup) iced water (the batter should be a thin consistency - add a little extra water if necessary). Season.
4.
Dust the flathead pieces in the seasoned flour, then dip into the batter, shaking off any excess, and carefully deep-fry in batches (be careful as hot oil will spit), turning occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until light golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and season to taste.
5.
Heat a frying pan over a high heat and warm the tortillas in the pan for a minute on each side. Wrap loosely in a clean tea towel while you cook the remaining tortillas.
6.
To serve, fill each taco with some fried fish and shredded cabbage, top with the salsa and sour cream sauce and serve with a scattering of coriander, lime wedges and jalapeĂąos.
How To Have A
5 Star Holiday
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Without Leaving Home!
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Hectic lives and busy schedules can make going away on a holiday may be more work than some of us can handle. A great break doesnˊt have to include travel. Why not plan a 5 Star break without ever leaving your house? All it takes is few simple steps, and you will be sure to have a truly heavenly holiday in the comforts of your own home. Staying at home can be every bit as relaxing and in some ways more adventurous. Here are 5 ways to do just that: 1. START WITH A CLEAN, clutter free house itˊs a must, so spoil yourself by hiring a cleaning service to get it ready for you. 2. SPOILING YOURSELF by buying in some relaxing essentials like a hammock or an outdoor lounge bed will ensure you relax.
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3. A BIT OF MOOD LIGHTING can enhance your outdoor oasis and add just the right amount of privacy. Overhauling your backyard wonˊt be necessary, but filling it with a few
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exotic elements can help transport you to a different time and place. Indulge in a few specialty items that will pamper you. 4. ADORN YOUR BED with high thread count sheets and over stuffed pillows. You will sleep like a queen and enjoy the perfect lazy morning. Stock your bathroom with luxurious products to be enjoyed during your holiday. 5. INDULGE IN FANTASTIC FOODS while you are home-cationing and fill your fridge with your favourite items. Be sure to do things you donˊt normally have time for. Read a good book and linger for hours, take a walk, or take in some of the local sights or places youˊve been meaning to visit. If you are really serious about living in the lap of luxury, go for 'la piece de resistanceˊ and bring the spa into your home by scheduling a masseur to make a house call. Be creative and remember this is your holiday at home so avoid the laundry at all costs!
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Benefits Of Being Organised
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Never underestimate the benefits of being organised. The list of positives that goes with streamlining your life, is long and bountiful. Getting organised will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders and give you a new lease on life. Here are just a few of the many benefits that come with getting organised:
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• Reduced stress: Being organised can have a plethora of benefits, but without a doubt the main one is that it helps reduce STRESS. When your life is organised, you know where things are, you have a plan and a timeframe to work within. When you are disorganised, the brain perceives the tasks at hand to require more energy than you have capacity and this triggers a stress response and a feeling of being overwhelmed. By getting organised you can eliminate things that trigger a stress response and who does not need less stress in their lives?
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• The unmanageable becomes manageable: When you are not organised things seem like they are out of control and the smallest thing might just feel like a mountain. On the flip side, when you are organised things seem more doable because you are not chasing your tail. You actually have time to breathe, space to think and even the impossible becomes possible. • Improved health: Clutter is not only a stress trigger to the brain but it can also have a direct impact on your health. When you are disorganised you may find yourself sleeping less, eating less or eating poorly, missing exercising all because you simply cant stay on top of things at home or at work or at both. Being organised reduces stress; anxiety and depression all that have a direct positive knock on affect on your health.
• Better finances: The more organised you are, the more on top of your bills and finances you are, which means you will avoid paying unnecessary late fees and interest payments. • More time to relax: Being organised at home and at work equals more time to relax. You will be able to finish your jobs on time and avoid any last minute chaos, leaving you feeling rest assured that you could find anything when you need it because everything will be in its place!
• Ability to catch the curve ball: Life has a way of throwing a kink in the works that can interrupt your life at any point. When you are prepared and organised, the impact will be less severe and you will be ready to catch that curveball! An organised life is not easy and requires dedication and even the most organised person in the world slips up from time to time. But, the benefits are really worth the effort, so its well worth trying to become a little bit more organised both at home and at work.
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• Greater productivity: When you know where things are, what your goals are, how things are going to happen and when you have taken care of all the little jobs, room becomes available in your mind and in your life for the big stuff!
• Positive role modelling: We have all heard it but there is much truth to the old adage of "to lead by example". By being organised in your life you will be setting a positive role model for your children and others around you and will help encourage them to be organised in their own lives helping to create a more harmonious lifestyle for them.
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“Your home should be your haven.”
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