We’re hearing from a lot experts that it’s going to be a long, hot summer. With the oncoming heatwave, we thought we’d share our thoughts on how to keep you and your family cool over the next few months. The first, and most flexible option is a fan. Although it sounds pretty obvious, fans are great at moving air around a room, and that circulation is what helps keep you and your cohabitants cool during hot days. Dyson fans are a great choice for families, as they have features that take into account kids’ safety and product safety. After taking the world by storm, the now-familiar circular and rounded tower style of the fans is almost iconic in recognition, but importantly for parents, represents one of the biggest changes to the fan since its invention – the removal of visible blades. This means children can be close to, or even in, the fan blower itself. In fact, if you have an air conditioner running and you have an odd shaped living area, placing a fan in a strategic location can help move cold air from the air conditioner into other areas like corridors or L-shaped spaces, helping the cooler air move around corners and lowering the temperature in more areas of the house. If you’re in an apartment or are renting and can’t do a full installation of a split or window wall air conditioning unit, there is the next best thing – a portable air conditioner. The beauty of a portable air conditioner like one from Delonghi is that it works just like a window wall unit but doesn’t require any installation – you just need to be close to a window that you can use as your vent to expel the hot air in your room and replace with the cool air from the portable air con unit. If you do have the facilities to install a split system air conditioner, then there are a few factors that you will need to take into account. Firstly, although you may be tempted to calculate your own unit, visit your local Bing Lee store with your room’s dimensions, existing windows and orientation of your room and we will be able to help with the calculation of the correct size of the air conditioner to suit your space. We have some great brands in Air Conditioning systems, and each have their great unique features. For example, Mitsubishi is one of the quietest units in the market, as low as 19dB for some units, meaning you can stay cool and not be distracted by the noise of the indoor unit. Samsung air conditioners are right up there with online integration. Using a compatible Android or iPhone, you can download an app that lets you connect to selected air conditioners and control it remotely, no matter where you are. Fujistsu air conditioners incorporate a human sensor, which detects human activity in the room and adjusts the power use depending on what people are doing in the room. Fujitsu also have one button cooling and award winning indoor unit designs to match the modern decor of your living area. Lastly, Panasonic air conditioners have a feature called ECONAVI, which senses people in the room and sends cool air to that actual area of the room. If there is less movement, or no movement at all, the cooling mode is adjusted down to a lower power mode. As you can see, there are many options to stay cool this summer. Make sure you speak to one of our staff for the best advice on the most effective way to keep your family and friends comfortable in your home this coming warm season.
10 Smart Power-Saving Tips
Most people are aware of the little things that can be done to save power, like turning off lights when leaving a room or shutting down the computer every night. A lot of consumers are also aware of major energy-saving changes they can make, like installing solar power. There are, however, a lot of mid-range ways to save a significant amount of power without busting your budget or drastically altering the way you live.
Tip #1 Control Cooling. Cooling accounts for a lot of home energy use, but turning up the thermostat can make your home uncomfortably warm. One way to offset this is better circulate the air. Air conditioning used in conjunction with standing fans and ceiling fans can allow you to set the thermostat at a higher temperature but still feel cool. Another option is to purchase smaller air conditioning units, such as a portable air conditioner or wall mount unit. Put them in the rooms you use most to keep those areas at a refreshing temperature. Extra tip: Keep your filters clean, otherwise your air conditioner cannot work properly and you’ll use more energy without getting more cold air.
Tip #2 Help Your Heater. As with cooling, adjusting the thermostat can help save power; even a couple degrees can make a difference in your energy use. What many people don’t know, however, is that fans can actually help keep your home warm! Warm air rises, keeping cold air closer to the floor. This means you use a ton of energy just heating the ceiling! By using fans, you can circulate the warm air down into your living space. Another energy-saving trick is to use space heaters in the areas where you spend the most time or near areas where cold air might seep into your home.
Tip #3 Tend to Your Water Tank. Something simple you can do is to make sure your water tank is set properly. Water over 54 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit) is not only a waste of energy, water that hot can cause burns. You can also help your water tank work more efficiently by covering it with thermal blankets made specifically for this purpose. Another great tip: when you’re going out of town, turn your water heater off. There’s no sense keeping water hot when no one is going to use it.
Tip #4 Wash in Cold Water. As the above tip indicates, water heaters need a lot of energy. Simply choosing a cold wash cycle over warm or hot can save you tons of power and money, plus your clothes actually benefit. Hot and warm water causes bright colors to fade more quickly, and can often lead to the yellowing of white garments.
Tip #5 Replace Your Washing Machine. Have an old top-loading washing machine? These models are notoriously inefficient, wasting both power and water. They also remove less water from clothes during the spin cycle, meaning the dryer has to run longer to dry items. Front-loading washing machines are more efficient in every way. If you must have a top-loader style, upgrade it. Modern versions have many more water and energy-saving features than old models.
Tip #6 Mind Your Windows. Did you know you can lose between 20% – 30% of heating or cooling through your home’s windows? Extreme energy-savers often cover their windows with black plastic, but you don’t have to go quite that far. Heavy, thermal curtains can keep inside temperatures steady. Open them only when you’re in the room and want natural light, then close them again when you leave.
Tip #7 Decrease Drying Time. Purchase a dryer with a moisture sensor. Old dryers keep going until the cycle ends, regardless of whether or not the clothes are dry. Modern dryers with moisture sensors can detect when the clothes are dry, and will automatically turn off. A new, energy-efficient dryer with a moisture sensor is relatively affordable and you can make up for the cost over the long term through savings on your power bill. Another tip: clean the lint screen every time. A clogged lint screen is not only a fire hazard, it makes the dryer run less efficiently.
Tip #8 Upgrade your Refrigerator. If you can only afford to replace one appliance, make it the refrigerator. Refrigerators are big energy users because they have to run continuously. Look for a well-made model with a good Energy Star rating; this is one of those times quality makes a huge difference. In the meantime, turn your refrigerator to as low a setting as possible and put items that need more cooling, such as dairy or meats, towards the back of the fridge where they’re less vulnerable to temperature changes from opening the door.
Tip #9 Embrace Small Cooking Appliances. If a small kitchen appliance will do the job, use it. Slow cookers, microwave ovens, rice cookers, countertop grills, waffle irons and the like use far less power than your stove or oven. This is because you’re essentially only heating a small space and that heat is going directly to the food rather than escaping into the air.
Tip #10 Get an Induction Cooktop. Induction cooktops are extremely efficient. They work by magnetic properties to heat only the pan, and only when it comes in contact with the surface of the cooktop. This means less heat loss, which translates to power savings. Can’t afford an entire cooktop? There are single-burner induction plates you can purchase and use instead of your stovetop for small cooking tasks.
What Does That Do? A Buyer’s Guide to Computer Acronyms
For the average consumer, buying a computer can be a daunting experience. Not only are there multiple manufacturers, models, and price points, but there are so many technical terms and acronyms associated with computer features that can make buyers feel like they need to be computer experts just to make a comparison. This guide is designed to help you better understand computer terms and so you can purchase the one that’s right for you. ADC – Analog-to-Digital Converter. If you have an old VHS tape and want to watch it on your computer, you’ll need an ADC. Computers can only process digital input, so older analog input from video tapes and 8mm film will not be read unless you have an ADC to convert the analog to digital. Bluetooth – Bluetooth is a technology that allows wireless connection between other Bluetooth-enabled electronic devices. Because it utilizes radio waves instead of infrared light, the signal cannot be interrupted by objects in the way. Bluetooth works very well to connect multiple devices in small areas of less than 30 feet, but is not ideal for larger areas. Blu-ray – Blu-ray is essentially the next generation of optical storage. First there were CDs, then DVDs, and now Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray was made to handle the storage demands of high-definition (HD) video and TV and to produce better images when played on HD devices. Any Blu-ray disc with DL in the name simply means it is dual layer and has double the storage. BD-R and BD-RE – These abbreviations refer to Blu-ray discs. BD-R is a Blu-ray disc upon which information can be stored, but not deleted. BE-RE means the Blu-ray disc can be used over and over because information can be stored and erased as many times as needed. CD-ROM – Compact Disc Read-Only Memory. This means a CD upon which information can be stored, but not deleted. Good example of a CD-ROM would be the software CDs you get with your new computer. CPU – Central Processing Unit. Also commonly called the, “processor” the CPU is the hardware that carries out the instructions of every computer program and function. DDR and DDR-SDRAM – Double Data Rate. It can get a little complicated, but basically it’s a type of computer memory that has double the data transfer speed as SDRAM alone. DDR and DDR-SDRAM are important for small computers like notebooks because they use power efficiently. Dual Core and Quad Core – This term refers to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) with two processors that are integrated. A computer can have a single processor, two processors that work together but are separate, a dual core where the processors are integrated together, or a quad core where two dual-core processors are integrated. These may also be referred to as multi-core processors. If you’re operating software programs that require fast processing speeds, you may want to consider a dual-core or quad-core processor. DVI – Digital Video Interface. DVI is simply a video connection. Most DVI ports can handle both digital and analog data without the need for an extra ADC (audio-to-digital converter). DVI-A is for analog information, DVI-D handles digital, and DVI-I means it can handle both. Ethernet – Ethernet allows computers to send data back and forth to other computers within a network. It’s a protocol, a set of rules that determine how information is exchanged. These connections can be via a physical cable that plugs into the back of the computer, or it can be via a wireless connection. LAN – Local Area Network. As the name implies, a LAN network consists of computers within a limited area like an office building. Computers in a LAN can also connect to one another wirelessly, which is referred to as WLAN. LCD – Liquid Crystal Display. Popular in laptops, LCD screens work by blocking light rather than producing it, resulting in a display that uses less power than other types of screens. LCD screens with TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) indicate a higher quality screen with brighter picture and smooth motion. LED – Light-Emitting Diode. LED lights are everywhere, from digital clocks to street lights. In terms of computers, LED refers to the way a computer monitor displays light and color. LED monitors are often brighter than LCD screens. GHz – Gigahertz. Computer speeds are measured in Gigahertz. The higher the number, the faster the CPU (processor) speed. RAM – Random Access Memory. Many people confuse RAM with the hard drive, or CPU, of the computer, but in fact it refers to temporary memory rather than the permanent memory the hard drive provides. Higher RAM, measured in GB (gigabytes), means better performance for your computer. Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity. Put simply, Wi-Fi allows computers and other devices to access a router via a signal rather than a physical wire. The router, in turn, connects devices to each other or to the Internet, depending upon the user’s needs. USB – Universal Serial Bus. A USB port is used to connect peripheral devices, such as your mouse, keyboard, webcam, removable storage (flash drive) devices, and more to your computer. Having lots of USB ports allows you to connect to multiple devices at the same time. Often consumers buy a USB hub for even more connection options.
Simple Guide to Convection Cooking
Convection ovens have long been popular with professional bakers because of their ability to cook quickly and brown evenly. That’s why when these ovens were made available for home kitchens, many consumers rushed to get one of their own. If you’re considering a convection oven for your own kitchen, here’s a quick guide to help you make a smart purchase.
How Do Convection Ovens Work?
Convection ovens work much like a traditional oven, but with one important addition. A convection oven utilizes fans to better circulate the air inside the oven cavity. Traditional ovens heat from the bottom or top, creating areas of hot and cold that can lead to undercooked food or burning. Because a convection oven heats from the back and circulates the air more efficiently, the temperature inside the oven is consistent.
Benefits of Convection Ovens
Convection ovens have considerable benefits over traditional ovens. The use of fans to circulate the heat means convection ovens heat up much more quickly than conventional ovens. Also, because the hot air completely surrounds the food and remains at a steady temperature, food browns evenly, cooks faster. Plus, the oven can be operated at a lower temperature. Something else to note is that, contrary to popular belief, you do not need specially designed pans to work with your convection oven. The benefits of convection ovens go beyond cooking. Being able to prepare food faster and at a lower temperature translates directly to energy savings. An oven that cooks faster, better, saves you money, and is better for the environment – it’s a wonder traditional ovens are still used!
Making the Most of Your Convection Oven
So why do people still use traditional ovens? Well, convection ovens take some getting used to. Most recipes are made with traditional ovens in mind which can make using a convection oven somewhat challenging for beginners. However, convection oven manufacturers and chefs have come up with some suggestions to help adjust recipes and compensate for faster cooking times. When cooking meats, such as a roast or turkey, experts suggest reducing the cooking time by about a quarter (think 15 minutes off for every hour suggested). For baking, it’s recommended to cook for the full time indicated in the recipe, but at a quarter of the temperature. For example, if the recipe says to cook at 162 degrees Celsius, you would reduce the temperature to 148 degrees Celsius.
Other Helpful Tips and Tricks
When cooking with a convection oven, remember that it works best when the air can properly circulate. Refrain from overfilling the oven with pans, and use pans with short sides whenever possible. This will allow for the best browning. For the same reasons, avoid using a lid; provided you do not overcook the food, the even browning should seal in the moisture, making a lid unnecessary. Another tip: If you live at a high elevation and normally adjust recipes, you may want to consult your oven manufacturer to find out if further adjustments need to be made.
The Bottom Line
Convection ovens are simply a better than traditional ovens in every way. They cook food faster, more evenly, and are much more efficient in terms of energy use. It will definitely take some time to get used to how they work and alter your recipes accordingly, and you will have to be willing to spend some time learning through trial and error. But once you adjust, you’ll be able to enjoy better-tasting food for years to come.
Mitsubishi Electric Brings Australia Changes for the Better
In 1834, Yatar? Iwasaki founded a shipping company, which he renamed three years later as Mitsubishi Shokai. The meaning of Mitsubishi, the title that the firm was later shortened to, is “three diamonds” and refers to the red, triple diamond logo of the brand, which is now highly recognisable in Australia and around the world.
In the early days of the company, Mitsubishi diversified into related industries to support its shipping efforts, such as purchasing coal mines to obtain the raw materials used to power the corporation’s steam ships. During World War II, the company completely reinvented itself as an aeroplane manufacturer for the Japanese army. After the war ended, Mitsubishi again went through a period of change.
Now, Mitsubishi is perhaps most well known for being Japan’s sixth largest automobile manufacturer. The company also manufactures chemicals, produces nuclear power, and makes cameras and other optical equipment under the brand name Nikon. Worldwide, Mitsubishi operates in more than 80 countries through more than 500 companies. The corporation employs more than 54,000 people around the globe and generates over $240 billion in revenue annually.
The home appliances unit of Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Electric, launched in Australia in 1967 when the company opened up an office in Rydalmere, New South Wales. In 1974, Mitsubishi founded the MELCO Australia Pty Ltd in the city and changed the organisation’s name to Mitsubishi Electric Australia in 1982. To give back to the planet, Mitsubishi provides funding for Australian Animals Care & Education Inc., a nonprofit organisation that rehabilitates wildlife. This group is also dedicated to preserving the hairy wombat species, of which there are less than 200 left alive in the wild. In addition to providing financial support, Mitsubishi Australia’s employees volunteer their time at AACE’s facilities in Melbourne, and the company has donated merchandise, like air conditioners, to help outfit the rehabilitation habitats for wombats.
As a producer of home electrical appliances, Mitsubishi Electric Australia is well known for its air conditioners. The company manufactures a full range of models from small multi split systems to large systems designed to work with ductwork. Mitsubishi residential air conditioners, like the Mitsubishi MSZ-GE71KIT Split System Air Conditioner, operate at only 19 decibels, making them the quietest residential models available in Australia.
Many of the brand’s models, including the MSZ-GE71KIT, include a premium inverter, which operates with a DC fan motor that uses 60 percent less power than the motors found in other air conditioners. This in no way sacrifices the cooling ability of the air conditioner but cuts back on energy consumption. Another popular line produced by Mitsubishi Electric Australia is its refrigerator collection, which includes top mount, bottom mount, upright and multi-drawer models. The Mitsubishi MR-420C-W-A 420L Top Mount Fridge is one of the brand’s top-selling styles and features its Surround Cooling System. This unique method of cooling the interior of the fridge ensures that air circulates freely to keep every part of the refrigerator the same temperature. The model also has an antibacterial food liner to help improve the safety of food and prevent odours from lingering inside of the fridge.
Nikon: From Popular Camera to Global Powerhouse
On July 25, 1917, Nippon K?gaku K?gy? Kabushikigaisha or Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd was founded in Tokyo, Japan, when three major optics manufacturers merged to form one corporation. In its early years, the company’s focus was on producing lenses for use in binoculars, microscopes and other products.
During World War II, the demand for lenses for bomb sights and periscopes led to the rapid growth of the company. By the end of the fighting, Japan Optical Industries Co. had 19 factories and more than 23,000 employees in Japan. Following the war, Japan Optical began working on producing products that would incorporate the lenses that they manufactured.
In 1959, the company unveiled its first 35-millimeter camera, the Nikon F series. The high quality of the images that could be captured with the camera’s lenses quickly made them popular around the globe. For the next two decades, the Nikon F series models were the number one choice for cameras among professional photographers.
The company is responsible for developing many of the features that are now standard in SLR cameras, such as built-in light meters, electronic shutter control and automatic film advance, which eliminated the need for winding a camera after each snapshot. The brand was also one of the first to manufacture digital SLR cameras. In 1988, the name of Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd was changed to simply Nikon, after the brand’s top-selling line of products, its cameras.
Although Nikon had been selling cameras in Australia since the first F series models were released, the brand did not establish a corporate presence here until November 2006. Called Nikon Australia Pty Ltd, the company has its headquarters in Sydney.
Nikon is one of the top-selling brands of SLR cameras in Australia, and in 2011, the brand won the TIPA Award for Best Advanced SLR camera with the Nikon D7000 VR KIT D7000 with VR Lens Kit. The camera has the ability to shoot up to 100 shots continuously and can shoot full 1080p HD movies with full-time AF, making it a standout among available SLR models. The camera has a 50,000-cycle rated shutter system and with its weather and dust seals, is built to be heavy duty for use in all types of climates. The design is completed by a 3-inch LCD screen and a 100 percent viewfinder.
Due to the popularity of Nikon SLR cameras worldwide, the company has produced more than 60 million units of its various SLR models. In addition to its TIPA Award, Nikon also won several Red Dot awards for product design in 2011. Many of these awards were for point-and-shoot model cameras in the brand’s Coolpix range. This lineup of compact digital cameras includes basic, entry-level models; stylish models like the Nikon Coolpix S3500 and top-of-the-line models that produce professional-quality results like the Nikon Coolpix P510.
Although best known for cameras, Nikon Australia also produces additional optical products for home and professional use. Among these are digital film scanners, flashlights and a wide variety of sports optics.
The Healthy Way to Sit at Your Computer
With more people spending longer hours working at a computer terminal, the rate of strains and pains is on the rise. Ergonomics is the practice of arranging your workspace to develop a safe and comfortable work station. Avoid eye strain, neck pain and more, by simply setting up and using your computer in the healthiest, more ergonomic way possible.
Your Chair
Choose an adjustable chair which will enable you to sit at the optimal position for your physical attributes. To correctly position your chair, begin by pushing your hips as far back in the chair as possible. Adjust the height of your seat so that your feet are touching the ground with your knees equal to or slightly lower than hip level – use a footrest if necessary.
If your chair has armrests, these should enable you to position your arm with relaxed shoulders. Remove the armrests if they get your in your way.
Your Monitor
Place your monitor directly in front of where you are sitting, rather than off-centre, as this may cause shoulder and neck pain due to twisting posture. You monitor should be approximately an arm’s length away from the back of your chair in order to avoid eye strain, however if you work with a large monitor (20”+), you should sit even further back.
Position the top of your screen on level with your eyes by either slightly lowering your monitor or raising your chair. By ensuring your screen isn’t too low, you will avoid having to tilt your head forward, causing neck pain. Similarly, you can avoid neck and shoulder pain as well as headaches caused by glare from overhead lighting by ensuring that your monitor isn’t too high.
Your Keyboard
Position your keyboard directly in front your body, centring your keyboard at the section you use most frequently. The height of your keyboard should leave you with relaxed shoulders, elbows at an angle of around 100 – 110 degrees, with straight wrists and hands.
Use a wrist rest to help you maintain correct wrist alignment. However remember to only use it to rest your palms when not typing.
Breaks and Rest Pauses
Even with your workstation arranged ergonomically, you should still avoid remaining in a static position for prolonged periods, as this inhibits blood circulation. Take a minute or two for a quick stretch every 20 to 30 minutes, then after each hour of work, take a break away from the screen. As well as giving your body a rest, don’t forget to periodically rest your eyes by looking away from your monitor and refocusing them on something else at a distance.
Olympus: Creative Flashes Make Iconic Cameras
In 1919, an optical company called Takachiho Seisakusho was founded in Japan. Ancient Japanese mythology speaks of a peak called Mt. Takachiho, where all of the gods reside, and it was this place that inspired founder Takeshi Yamashita when he was choosing a name for his new corporation.
At the time of its founding, the company mainly produced microscopes and thermometers. In order to make the brand more internationally appealing, the more European sounding name Olympus was chosen for its products, which began to be widely distributed in 1921. The name Olympus was picked because the Greek gods and goddesses resided on Mt. Olympus, according to ancient mythology.
Following the worldwide success of the Olympus range of products, the company’s name was changed to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd in 1949. As of 2003, the official name of the company is the Olympus Corporation. The name Olympus is synonymous with cameras, but the brand produces a wide variety of other products as well.
One of its most successful divisions is its medical equipment manufacturing. Here’s an interesting factoid: approximately 70% of all of the gastrointestinal endoscopes used for diagnosing medical conditions that affect the oesophagus and intestinal tract are manufactured by Olympus.
Throughout the world, Olympus employs more than 39,000 people and has offices around the globe. Olympus founded Olympus Australia Pty. Ltd in June 1997 to distribute its medical and life sciences products throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific region. The headquarters for the subdivision is in Waverley, Victoria. Olympus also operates Olympus Imaging Australia Pty Ltd, which is based in Macquarie Park, New South Wales. This unit of the Olympus Corporation is responsible for bringing Olympus’ well-known camera collection to consumers throughout the region.
In addition, the company distributes Olympus binoculars and voice recorders. The cameras produced by Olympus have always been on the cutting edge of technology, but when demand began to shift from cameras that used film to those that captured images digitally, the brand really took the lead worldwide in terms of innovation. The company’s SLR digital cameras produced in the 1990s had the highest resolution available. In fact, the number of pixels available in these early models was more than double what was available in competitors’ offerings.
While Olympus continues to produce digital SLR cameras, many people best know the brand for its point-and-shoot models. These cameras are designed for use by those who want the ability to take breathtaking pictures without having to make adjustments each time they’re ready to snap a photo. The compact digital camera range includes four lines.
The Smart Series is intended for basic, everyday use and includes colourful, stylish options like the VR-160. The Tough Series, which includes the TG-320, is built to be extra durable for use during sports and outdoor activities. The Traveller Series consists of lightweight models with special features to take beautiful landscape shots, and cameras in the Creator Series allow users to edit photos without having to import them to a computer.
3 Tasty Recipes to Spice Up the Colder Months
When the temperature drops, it’s time to heat things up in the kitchen and warm your cockles, the old fashioned way – with some spicy comfort cooking. Here are three of our favourite simple recipes from around the globe that are sure to keep you warm this winter.
Spicy Tomato Soup
Serves 4 Ingredients 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil 1 brown onion, chopped 2 large garlic cloves, crushed 1 Habanero chilli chopped* 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tbs tomato paste 2 x 400g cans crushed tomatoes 1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed 500ml salt-reduced chicken or vegetable stock Method Preheat your oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium-low heat before adding the onion, then cook for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently until the onion is soft. Add the chilli, spices, garlic and tomato paste, and stir for a further minute until ingredients are evenly combined. Add tomatoes, lentils and stock to the pan and raise heat to high to bring the mixture to the boil. Then reduce heat to low before partially covering and simmering for 20 minutes. Allow to cool to before pureeing the in batches until smooth. If the soup is too thick for your taste, gradually add another half cup of water. Once the desired consistency has been achieved, return to the saucepan and season with salt and pepper – freshly ground it best. Warm through by stirring over a medium heat. Serving Suggestion: ladle soup among serving bowls and swirl in a spoonful of yoghurt or sour cream to serve. *Note, the Habanero is one of the hottest varieties of chillis available. To reduce the heat, remove the seed or opt for a milder chilli such as the birdseye or jalepeno.
Chorizo and Bean Casserole
Serves 6 Ingredients 3 chorizo sausages, sliced 1 tbs vegetable oil 1 large brown onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, peel and crushed 1 1/2 tsp Mexican chilli powder 1 x 800g can diced tomatoes 2 x 400g cans red kidney beans, rinsed, drained 700g red sweet potato, peeled, diced into 1.5cm chunks 1 large eggplant, diced into 1.5cm pieces Method Preheat oil in a large saucepan before adding the sausages and onion. Cook for 3 minutes stirring frequently until the onion is golden and the sausages begin to brown. Stir in the garlic and chilli powder, and cook until aromatic. Add tomatoes, kidney beans, sweet potato and eggplant. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined before increasing heat to bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender. Serving suggestion: Serve with the crusty bread rolls.
Spicy Meatballs with Spaghetti
Serves 4 Ingredients 500g lean beef mince 1 large red chilli, finely chopped (and seeded for less heat, if desired) 1/4 cup quality dry breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 small brown onion, chopped finely 2 garlic cloves, crushed 400g can chopped Roma tomatoes 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 cup water Pinch of sugar 400g spaghetti or pasta of your choice Method Combine beef mince, breadcrumbs and chilli into a bowl, seasoning with salt. Mix together by hands until the mixture is well combined. Roll12 even-sized balls from the mixture. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente before draining well. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a non-stick frypan over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning frequently, for about 5 minutes until evenly browned. Remove meatballs and set aside. Wipe pan clean with a paper towel or wet sponge. Add the remainder of your oil to frypan. Cook onion and garlic until the onion softens then add the tomatoes, oregano, and water. Bring sauce to the boil before adding the meatballs and reducing heat. Simmer partially covered for 10 minutes, turning meatballs occasionally until cooked through. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sugar before serving with spaghetti or pasta of your choice.
OXX Digital Makes Digital Audio Broadcasting Easy
Since the advent of radios, people have relied on radio stations to provide them with news, weather and traffic reporting, and to provide a musical soundtrack for their lives. Anyone who has listened to traditional radio knows, though, that the form of media can be fraught with problems.
Radio stations, particularly those on AM frequencies, are often difficult to tune into properly and have poor sound quality. In addition, traditional radio waves have are limited in how far they can travel, leading to areas in cities where certain channels cannot be received. Digital radio seeks to eliminate many of the difficulties associated with traditional radio broadcasting. In digital systems, the signals are converted from their traditional analogue format before being transmitted to receivers. The sound quality possible with digital radios is much better, even on AM frequencies. In addition, digital transmission expands the reception area for radio stations.
The proper name for digital radio is Digital Audio Broadcasting or DAB. The technology was developed in the late 1980s, but the first digital radio receivers did not hit the market until the first DAB broadcasts began in 1999. In Australia, DAB premiered on August 6, 2009. As of 2012, digital stations are being broadcasted in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane with stations in Canberra and Darwin testing the technology with intentions of launching DAB programming in the near future. Efforts are also underway to bring DAB to rural areas throughout Australia. To enjoy digital radio, a specialized digital receiver is necessary.
Among the options available in the DAB receiver models available in Australia, those made by OXX Digital stand apart. OXX Digital first began selling receivers in Australia in 2009 after enjoying tremendous popularity in other nations around the world, including in the United States, Germany, Holland, Norway and Sweden. The company has its headquarters in Nibe, Denmark, but also has a large office in Sydney. This office serves as the brand’s most important secondary location around the globe. One of the most popular OXX Digital DAB receivers available in Australia is the OXX Digital Classic DAB+ BLACK Digital & Internet Radio.
In addition to picking up the 20 digital radio stations presently available in Australia, the receiver also has the ability to play Internet radio stations and podcasts, meaning that there are more than 25,000 options for programming available for users. The model has received numerous accolades, including an Editor’s Choice Award from CNET Australia and an Editor’s Pick Award from the Good Gear Guide. In addition to this freestanding model, OXX Digital also produces the OXX Digital Digital Pocket Radio, a handheld digital radio that comes with high quality JAYS a-Jays One earphones.
For those who want the convenience of digital radio built into an iPhone charging station, the OXX Digital Flight DAB+ Radio iPhone Dock is available. This model is outfitted with a clock and alarm, so that it can be used on night stands in place of a traditional alarm clock.
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