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8 nifty uses for leftover glass jars

<p>If your recycling bin is building up with leftover jars, scoop them out and salvage them. There are so many uses for leftover jars that you never need crowd out the rubbish again.</p> <p>Here are our eight favourites:</p> <p><strong>Vase</strong> – Leftover glass jars, especially long narrow ones (like the ones tomato passata come in) are ideal for small flower arrangements. Wild flowers or natives look especially good in these vintage inspired vessels.</p> <p><strong>Candle-holder</strong> – Forget expensive candle holders. Small glass jars are excellent for holding your tea-lights. Try different shapes and sizes grouped together for an eye-catching effect.</p> <p><strong>Hold-all</strong> – Need somewhere to store your pens/pencils or even the bits and bobs that make up your sewing kit? Try using a large glass jar. Added bonus? You can see everything you’ve stashed.</p> <p><strong>Drinking glass</strong> – If you’ve been to a trendy café recently, you may have had your drink served in a glass jar. It’s the new ‘in thing’ to do. Why not create the same vibe at home and serve your drinks in your leftover jars? Smoothies especially are great in jars. You can even cap them with the lid for drinks on the go.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/diy/2014/12/diy-polka-dot-drinking-glasses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Related link: Make your own polka-dot drinking glasses</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><strong>Planter</strong> – If you’re a keen gardener, especially one with a small space to green up, you’re no doubt always on the lookout for planters. Larger sized glass jars can make a beautifully eye-catching display for small plants with succulents.</p> <p><strong>Storage container</strong> – If your jar still has a tightly fitted lid, why not use it to store other foods? Homemade foods like pesto and nut butters are especially good stored in air-tight glass containers while large jars make the perfect biscuit tin.</p> <p><strong>Gift</strong> – Bear with us! While handing over an empty glass jar probably isn’t the best idea, filling a pretty jar with some homemade goodies makes for an excellent gift. The dry ingredients for biscuits, a favourite slice or even something like homemade tea or dried herbs and spices can all be placed in a jar festooned with some ribbon and a card. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/at-home/2014/08/a-guide-to-homemade-candles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A guide to homemade candles</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/diy/2014/12/diy-3-fab-ways-to-upcycle-mason-jars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great uses for Mason jars</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/at-home/2014/06/how-to-create-your-own-flower-arrangements/%20%20%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to create your own flower arrangements</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Creative ways to use leftover eggshells

<p dir="ltr">Eggshells are surprisingly versatile, so you may want to keep them around. There are various ways you can use the shells around your home and garden!</p> <h3 dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. Fertilise plants</h3> <p dir="ltr">There are plenty of natural sources you can use, like compost and manure, but you can also use eggshells! Crushed eggshells are a great source of calcium, which is needed for healthy plant growth. </p> <p dir="ltr">Rinse out the eggshells, let them dry, then crush them into small pieces and sprinkle them in the garden soil. They will break down over time, providing an excellent source of calcium for your plants.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">2. Feed the birds</h3> <p dir="ltr">Just like plants, and us, birds rely on calcium for strength, and if you’re a bird fan, then this is a sure way to keep them coming back. They’re a great addition to a bird’s diet, especially during nesting season.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rinse out the eggshells and let them dry, then crush them into small pieces and sprinkle them around the garden for birds to find. </p> <h3 dir="ltr">3. Make a scouring powder</h3> <p dir="ltr">You can use eggshells to make your own scouring powder to clean pots and pans. Rinse out the shells and let them dry, then crush or grind them.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mix the crushed eggshells with baking soda to create a natural powder strong enough to remove tough stains and grime.</p> <p dir="ltr">Don’t egg-nor the power of eggshells!</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Genius idea for leftover foreign coins

<p>Anyone who’s travelled knows how annoying it is to come home with a handful of foreign change.  But it seems as though there’s a solution.</p> <p>An Irish company called <a href="http://www.coindrum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Coindrum</span></em></strong></a> is hoping to get rid of this lose change by creating a service that will collect this money at airports, where it can be exchanges for vouchers.</p> <p>The vouchers can then be spent at the airport.</p> <p>Coindrum has been successfully trialled at Dublin Airport, with some passengers reportedly depositing up to €300 in coins when taking advantage of the new service.</p> <p>The great advantage is Coindrum not only gives you the full value of the coins you deposit, but throws in a bonus 10 per cent on top, which is a significant mark up!</p> <p>The idea has proven popular not just with visitors who are heading back to countries where they’ve been using different currencies, but also with locals looking to offload their own euro coins.</p> <p>Based on the initial success Coindrum has plants to expand to major airports around the world, and has secured quite a sizeable $US 2 million in its latest round of funding.</p> <p>Coindrum chief executive Lukas Decker told Lonely Planet, “Travellers are currently getting stuck with their leftover coins when they are departing the currency area, so Coindrum offers a simple solution to this inconvenience. Instead of your change turning into dead weight, you get to buy something you love with it. Coindrum should and will be in every international hub airport worldwide as it offers a simple solution to a common problem.”</p> <p>Not only did Coindrum significantly boost shopping levels at Dublin Airport, it also cut down on pedestrian traffic with people spending less time fumbling around with coins at security checks.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

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What to do with your Christmas leftovers?

<p>After a huge Christmas lunch or dinner, most of us don't even want to think about eating or cooking the next day! But, as we all know hunger will once again catch up with us and if you have some leftovers, we've got some tasty and easy recipe ideas below, that will help you use up your leftover meats and vegetables.  </p> <p><strong>Speedy spicy turkey &amp; ham fried rice</strong></p> <p>Let's face it - the last thing you want to do on Boxing Day is cook more. This super fast egg-fried rice makes is the perfect dish for using up some of your leftover ham and turkey. And if you're really thinking in advance, why not cook the rice the day before? Recipe <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/884647/speedy-spicy-turkey-rice">here</a></p> <p><strong>Chicken and Mango noodle salad</strong></p> <p>Take the heat out of summer with this low fuss, no cook chicken salad. It can be made without mangos, but if you have any leftover from your Christmas feast, they add a nice, sweet kick to the dish. Recipe<a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/28522/chicken+and+mango+noodle+salad?ref=collections,christmas-leftovers"> here </a></p> <p><strong>Roast vegetable slice</strong></p> <p>A light and easy dinner meal if you're looking to use up leftover roast vegetables - and if you happen to be looking after the grandkids it's a great way to get them to eat vegetables too! Recipe <a href="http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/roast-vegetable-slice-L6678.html">here </a>. </p> <p><strong>Christmas Club Sandwich </strong></p> <p>Make a scrumptious cafe style sandwich filled with leftover roast meat, stuffing and salad for an easy-peasy lunch time filler.<strong> </strong>Recipe <a href="http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/508899/christmas-club-sandwich">here </a></p> <p><strong>Pytt y panna (little pieces in a pan)</strong></p> <p>This fabulous recipe is from Jamie Oliver and is an easy, brilliant every day dish, perfect for when you have leftover meats and vegetables. All you need is a frying pan and some oil and viola! Your next meal is served. <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/beef-recipes/pytt-y-panna-little-pieces-in-a-pan/">Recipe here.</a></p> <p><strong>Boxing Day Bubble and Squeak <br /><br /></strong>Christmas leftovers are perfect for this English dish. You'll need leftover vegetables including carrots and potatoes and the great thing about this recipe is it holds the same amount of calories as a large blueberry muffin - but is far more nutritious!<a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pork-recipes/boxing-day-bubble-and-squeak/"> Find the recipe here. </a></p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/food-and-wine/what-to-do-with-your-christmas-leftovers.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Caring

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Leftover chicken pie

<p>Use leftover roast chicken and vegetables to make this comfort food classic in next to no time.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span> </strong>4</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>3 tbsp butter</li> <li>1 tbsp plain flour</li> <li>¾ cup chicken stock</li> <li>3 tbsp cream</li> <li>2 cups cooked vegetables (such as carrot, potato, green beans, broccoli)</li> <li>1 cup cooked chicken, shredded</li> <li>1 tsp fresh thyme leaves</li> <li>1 puff pastry sheet, thawed</li> <li>1 egg, beaten</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Heat your oven to 180°C.</li> <li>Melt one tablespoon of butter in a frying pan and throw in the chicken and vegetables to heat through. Pour into a pie dish and set aside.</li> <li>Melt two tablespoons of butter in the same pan over medium-low heat and add the flour.Use a whisk to stir gently for one to two minutes.</li> <li>Add the chicken stock, increase the heat and keep stirring until the stock thickens.</li> <li>Pour in the cream and thyme, then pour this over the chicken and vegetables.</li> <li>Place the sheet of pastry over the top and tuck in at the edges. Add a few slits in the pastry to allow air to escape. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and then bake in the oven for around 30 minutes. The top should be puffed and golden brown.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/06/chicken-pad-thai/">Why get takeaway when you can make this Pad Thai yourself?</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/06/salmon-en-croute/">Try our salmon en croute with mushroom filling</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/06/chicken-frittata/">This chicken frittata is delicious</a></strong></em></span></p>

Food & Wine

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Bacon bubble and squeak

<p><span>This delicious recipe for bubble and squeak can be made with leftover vegetables or made with boiled or steamed vegetables.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span>500g roasted or steamed vegetables, diced</span></li> <li><span>400g potatoes, pre-cooked, peeled &amp; diced</span></li> <li><span>50ml olive oil</span></li> <li><span>4 free range eggs, poached or fried</span></li> <li><span>8 bacon rashers, cooked until crisp &amp; golden</span></li> <li><span>Salt &amp; pepper to taste</span></li> <li><span>Chutney to serve</span></li> <li><span>Chopped parsley to garnish</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <p><span>1. Preheat grill.</span></p> <p><span>2. Heat a medium non-stick pan over a medium heat with 25ml olive oil for 2-3 minutes.</span></p> <p><span>3. Add the vegetables and potatoes to the pan and mash with a fork to combine, season and press into a large pancake shape. Cook over a medium heat 5-6 minutes until the base is golden and turn the mixture to incorporate the golden base.</span></p> <p><span>4. Press the mixture once again into a large pancake shape and drizzle the edges of the pan with the remaining oil. Continue cooking for a further 5-6 minutes until base is crisp and golden.</span></p> <p><span>5.Spread the surface of the bubble and squeak with the butter and place the pan under the pre-heated grill until surface is golden and bubbling.</span></p> <p><span>6. Cut the bubble and squeak into large wedges and carefully remove from the pan and place onto each serving plate.</span></p> <p><span>7. Top the bubble and squeak with an egg and crisp rashers of bacon.</span></p> <p><span>8. Garnish with parsley and a dollop of chutney.</span></p> <p><span>How do you throw together the leftovers in the fridge? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of <a href="http://www.pork.com.au/home-page-consumer.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Australian Pork</strong></span></a>. </em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/08/kung-pao-chicken/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Kung pao chicken</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/bread-and-butter-pudding/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Spelt brioche bread and butter pudding</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/kangaroo-burgers/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Kangaroo burgers</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Great ideas on what to do with Christmas food leftovers

<p>If you’ve got a fridge crammed with post Christmas goodies but can’t handle another ham sandwich, fear not! There are plenty of clever, tasty ways to use your leftovers. What’s even better, using your leftovers means saving on your shopping bill with no trips to the supermarket (and the crazy sales crowds) needed. It’s a winner all round!</p> <p>Here are a few great suggestions to get you started.</p> <p><strong>Leftover ham</strong></p> <p>Ham makes a delicious addition to a huge range of meals such as:</p> <ul> <li>On homemade pizza with cheese, tomato and fresh basil.</li> <li>In pasta. Just mix through with a tomato based sauce and plenty of cheese.</li> <li>In an omelette with eggs, ham, cheese, salt and pepper.</li> <li>In scrambled eggs. Scramble your eggs as usual then stir through some diced ham</li> </ul> <p><strong>Leftover turkey and chicken</strong></p> <p>Almost as versatile as leftover ham, leftover poultry is an easy way to bulk up lunch or dinner.</p> <ul> <li>Make fried rice by using turkey and chicken to absorb all the yummy flavours of the sauce in fried rice. Toss with a few fresh veggies and any herbs you have lying around.</li> <li>Like the above, turkey or chicken will absorb a lot of the stir fry sauce creating an easy and flavourful dish.</li> <li>Try stuffing leftovers into croquettes with your favourite cheese, fresh herb and plenty of lemon zest.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Leftover beef, lamb and pork</strong></p> <p>There’s almost no end to the things you can do with leftover roast meats.</p> <ul> <li>Cut circles out of premade pastry and stuff with a mix of chopped meat, onion and your choice of diced veggies and voila you have empanadas. Seal, add an egg wash and bake in the oven till brown.</li> <li>Shred your leftovers and make tacos. Simply add to taco sauce or just serve as is with salsa, beans, sour cream and avocado.</li> <li>The perennial Aussie favourite, rissoles, leftover roast meat is perfect in patties and rissoles. Simply combine with veggies and breadcrumbs, roll and pan fry or bake.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Leftover roast veggies</strong></p> <p>Don’t throw away your spuds/pumpkin or greens. Try one of these ideas:</p> <ul> <li>Egg filled frittata. Mix roast veggies with 4 (or more) eggs and plenty of cheese for a delicious and easy frittata.</li> <li>In a salad. Roast pumpkin and other root veggies are perfect in a refreshing and light summer salad.</li> <li>Roast veggie lasagne. Whip up an easy roast veggie lasagne to use up all your odds and ends.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/12/spinach-and-feta-triangles/">Spinach and feta puff pastry triangles</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/12/macadamia-cookies/">Quick mix macadamia cookies</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/12/sticky-date-cheesecake/">Sticky date cheesecake</a></strong></em></span></p>

Food & Wine