VI "Quick Wins"

Rubber Bands - a life saver!

Do you struggle to distinguish between shampoo and shower gel, or tins of beans or peaches?  Simply put a rubber band round one and then you'll know which is which!

Struggling with screws?

Change from slot screws to cross heads.  You'll find it much easier to keep them in place and work with using a cross head screwdriver.

Stay safe in the garden.

Do you have support canes by your plants?  Purchase the polystyrene balls (egg size) from any craft shop/B&M/The Works and fix on the top of the cane.  Now when you bend down to inspect your plant there's no risk of getting a sharp cane in your face!  An additional tip is to place the little garden name tags by your plants so you can distinguish between plants and weeds!

Pitta Bread.

Rather than trying to split the bread lengthways, cut across and warm in the microwave for a minute.  You should now be able to open the 'pitta pocket' easily with your fingers or the handle of a desert spoon.

Top tip for hearing loss and telephones.

If you are struggling to hear on your cordless or mobile phone and you're thinking about buying a new one, before you spend more money try this top tip. Try using the speaker phone or handsfree facility. This will enable you to hear the conversation with both your ears. If you still struggle to hear on speaker phone, turn your telephone over so the back of your phone is facing you, this should make conversations sound a little louder and clearer.

Peeling and chopping onions.

If you struggle when peeling and chopping onions, frozen prepared and chopped onions are really useful. You can also just use as much or as little as you need. One measuring cup full is approximately the equivalent to one onion.

Growing herbs.

If you want to grow your own herbs but are unsure if you would be able to distinguish between the different herbs. First just buy one and get used to how the leaves smell, feel and taste. When you think that you would always recognise that herb introduce another one and repeat the process. Before you know it, you will have your very own herb garden.

Chopping herbs.

When using fresh herbs, the easiest way to chop them is to put them into a bowl and snip them with scissors and just keep feeling them until you are happy with them.