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3 household items that expire sooner than you think

<p>Milk, cheese and other fridge-dwelling food items are stamped with expiration dates that, should you choose to ignore them, will make themselves known via smell.</p> <p>But your house is actually peppered with items that require regular replenishment - many of which are outside of the kitchen.</p> <p>Thanks to this handy info, we're now aware of the many surprising household items that require a monthly or yearly upgrade.</p> <p>From knickknacks on your dresser to the staples in your pantry, your house is chock-full of items that can go bad.</p> <p>Here are a few of the most surprising.</p> <p><strong>Hydrogen Peroxide</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Expires in:</em></span> 2 months</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Why:</em></span> Hydrogen peroxide, the versatile topical antiseptic used to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and minor burns, actually turns into water just two months after opening. An unopened bottle should be thrown out after one year.</p> <p><strong>Kitchen spices</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Expires in:</em></span> 1-3 years</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Why:</em></span> Household kitchen spices, like cinnamon, cumin and basil, reportedly begin losing their lustre after just one year - both in terms of taste and smell. Brightside also claims that ground spices should be thrown out after just six months.</p> <p><strong>Mosquito repellents</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Expires in:</em></span> 3 years</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Why:</em></span> Mosquito repellents are essentially useless after just two years, according to Brightside. You can usually tell if a bug repellent has expired by the smell - if one spray doesn't emit the pungent odour you've grown used to, it's time to throw it out.</p> <p><em>Written by Kelsey Clark. First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>. </em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Home & Garden

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Have you been using expired beauty products this whole time? Here’s when to toss them

<p><strong>Let go of your loofah every few weeks</strong></p> <p>We all have our beauty besties. Whether it’s a love connection with brushes or a match made in heaven with mascara, saying goodbye is never easy. But it’s important – especially when we’re talking about spoilage, expiration dates, or skin infections. One potential hotbed of bacteria is the loofah you use in the shower, which collects your dead skin cells and literally redeposits them – dirt, grime, and all – right back onto your body the next time you use it.</p> <p>Be prepared to replace that body sponge every few weeks, or sooner if it smells or changes colour. Or skip the loofah entirely and just apply a cleanser with a chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic acid, using your fingers, advises cosmetic dermatologist, Dr Anjali Butani.</p> <p><strong>Mix up your mascara every three months</strong></p> <p>As much as you love your lengthening, feathering, dramatically lash-boosting mascara, you have only one pair of eyes and you can’t afford to lose them. That’s why you’ll need to chuck your mascara every three months, or face risks from contamination with bacteria and cold viruses.</p> <p>“Anything moist that’s touching wet parts of the body – eyes, lips, open skin – lasts a shorter period of time,” explains dermatologist, Dr Joshua Zeichner. A good rule to follow: if the product can’t be sterilised, toss it.</p> <p><strong>Swap your beauty sponge every three to four months</strong></p> <p>“If these disposable sponges are not replaced every few months, or if there are any colour changes, they could be a breeding ground for mould,” Dr Zeichner says. Always wash and thoroughly dry your beauty blender after each use to minimise the bacterial build-up that could cause breakouts.</p> <p>And definitely chuck the sponge sooner than three to four months if it starts to crack or crumble, or if you used it when you had a bad cold or an infection.</p> <p><strong>Re-up your eye cream every three months</strong></p> <p>Once you open a jar of any cosmetic product, the active ingredients are exposed to air and begin to break down. You’re also inviting contamination with every dip of your finger, which is probably not sterile even if you just washed it.</p> <p>Expect to switch out your eye cream every three months – unless it comes in a pump. Dr Zeichner says pumps are a better option because they can last several months to years due to the lower likelihood of contracting bacteria.</p> <p><strong>Turn over your toothbrush every three months</strong></p> <p>To keep up with your dental hygiene, you need your toothbrush to be in good working order. “When bristles are not standing straight anymore, they don’t clean as well, so you should throw it out,” says Dr Zeichner.</p> <p><strong>Kiss lip balm goodbye every six months to a year</strong></p> <p>Licensed aesthetician Jennifer Aimi, cautions lip balm lovers to part with their lip treatments every six months to a year, especially if they come in a pot that you dip your finger in (see eye cream). “Follow the instructions that come with the product,” Aimi urges, “and always resist the urge to share it – especially during cold season.”</p> <p><strong>Zap those zits for six months at a time </strong></p> <p>If your acne cream seems to be losing its pimple-fighting power, it may be a sign to pop it in the wastebasket. Dr Zeichner says that if the product is used past the expiration date, its active ingredients may not work as well.</p> <p><strong>Slather on that sunscreen for two years</strong></p> <p>Sunblock is not something you can take chances on, especially when you’re holidaying at the beach and there’s a real possibility of getting fried. Look to a sunscreen’s expiration date for guidance, or figure you’ll need to toss it two years after opening.</p> <p>But don’t abandon common sense. If a formula looks, smells, or feels different than when it was originally purchased, Dr Zeichner says to dump it.</p> <p><strong>Give your eyelash curler two to three years</strong></p> <p>It’s a good idea to consider replacing an eyelash curler every two to three years, according to Aimi. And if the rubber part starts to crack or look old, replace that part sooner. The good news is that they’re sold separately. Don’t forget to wipe down the curler with rubbing alcohol between uses.</p> <p><strong>Spritz on perfume for two years (or more)</strong></p> <p>The longevity of a perfume will depend on how you care for it over time. “Keep the bottle out of heat, humidity and sunlight,” Aimai says, “and don’t shake it, because that causes a chemical breakdown that can alter the scent quickly.”</p> <p>Expect to enjoy a fragrance for about two to three years, and obviously bin it sooner if the colour changes or if it starts to smell a tad like vinegar (obviously you won’t want to wear that).</p> <p><strong>Clip and snip for under five years</strong></p> <p>Even nail clippers and scissors have a shelf life – and it’s two to four years. Of course, the lifespan of these beauty necessities depends on their quality and how often you use them, according to beauty experts behind the brand Japonesque. Definitely don’t use tweezers, clippers or scissors if they’re nicked, dented, misshapen, misaligned, or rusted.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/have-you-been-using-expired-beauty-products-this-whole-time-heres-when-to-toss-them?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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10 things in your house that a professional organiser would throw out

<p>An expert organiser shares her list of the top 26 things she’d throw out without a second thought.</p> <p><strong>1. Flimsy kitchen utensils</strong></p> <p>The wine opener that never works well enough is just one of the tosses you can make from your utensil drawer. Professional organisers would also ditch the slotted spoons and pancake turners that bend under the weight of food. And add the garlic press that is too delicate to mince a clove of garlic to the toss pile.</p> <p><strong>2. Reference material</strong></p> <p>You’ll rarely find a space-hogging phone book in a professional organiser’s home. They also let go of encyclopaedia sets and textbooks; consider donating those. And unless you need the thesaurus and dictionary for playing Scrabble, pass those on, too.</p> <p><strong>3. Expired things</strong></p> <p>While frozen, fresh and canned foods come to mind, these are not the only things in your home that expire. Once they reach their best by date, it’s recommended to throw out medications, vitamins and supplements.</p> <p><strong>4. Storage solutions</strong></p> <p>Professional organisers love storage solutions but not every container works well. If the bin, basket or box didn’t solve your problem, then throw it out; otherwise, it just adds to your clutter. Consider passing along storage containers to a teacher who might need them.</p> <p><strong>5. Outdated technology</strong></p> <p>The VCR and boom box have been replaced with more up-to-date technology, so get rid of the old stuff. Recycle floppy disks and ancient laptops, obsolete phones, VHS tapes and more through an e-waste program.</p> <p><strong>6. Parts for discarded items</strong></p> <p>Toss the accessories and instruction booklets that go with things you no longer own, like the tiny bag with a spare button for the blouse you donated and the owner’s manual for the television you had ten years ago.</p> <p><strong>7. Secret stash</strong></p> <p>Even professional organisers keep odd things like those plastic clips from bags of bread or rinsed out glass jars. The key is to know when you are saving too many, and they are becoming clutter. For example, if you’ve kept every rubber band from every fresh produce purchase, then it is time to throw some away.</p> <p><strong>8. Awards and trophies</strong></p> <p>Just because it has your name engraved on it does not mean you have to keep it forever. Professional organisers preserve the memory by taking a photo of the accolade, then they donate the trophies, plaques, or awards of excellence through sports medal recycling programs.</p> <p><strong>9. Fad clutter</strong></p> <p>You could not resist that 2 a.m. infomercial and now you’re the owner of the latest craze in kitchen appliances, workshop tools, or some other must-have item that you never use. Professional organisers remind you that keeping the item won’t bring back the money you spent; so it’s best to pass it along to an organisation or friend that will accept it.</p> <p><strong>10. Clothes hangers</strong></p> <p>You’ll rarely find empty hangers taking up space in a professional organiser’s closet. Clear the clutter by returning the wire ones to the dry cleaners. Then let go of the other unused hangers like the ones with weak clips and the small hangers that don’t slide on the closet bar.</p> <p><em>Written by Handyman. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.handyman.net.au/26-things-your-house-professional-organiser-would-throw-out"><em>Handyman</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

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The beauty product expiration dates you need to know

<p>If you go through your makeup stash right now, how many items have you had for years on end? While it may seem economical to use the same blush for 25 years, it isn’t the greatest idea once you start thinking about the risks involved. Makeup, like anything else, come with expiration dates and if you use items past their used by dates you may be at risk of infections, dermatitis, allergic reactions etc.</p> <p>But there is good news in case you’re heartbroken over having to part ways with your favourite eyeshadow palette. Some expiration dates should be followed religiously, while others you can be a bit more relaxed about. Here is everything you need to know.</p> <p><strong>How do you know if your beauty products are expired?</strong></p> <p>Every beauty product will expire eventually, but how soon depends on factors such as preservatives, ingredients and how you store your products. Natural beauty products may be better for the skin, but they also expire quite quickly due to lack of preservatives. Check the expiry date by finding a pot logo, inside the graphic it will have a number. That’s how many months after opening it will last for.</p> <p><strong>What if there is no logo?</strong></p> <p>No date? No problem. Some beauty products don’t come with a set expiration date, so you’ll have to figure it out on your own. Luckily, we’re here to help. So here’s a guide on when you should throw out certain items.</p> <p><strong>2 years after opening</strong></p> <ul> <li>All powder items</li> </ul> <p><strong>12 months after opening</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lipstick</li> <li>Lip gloss</li> <li>Perfumes</li> </ul> <p><strong>6 months after opening</strong></p> <ul> <li>Moisturisers</li> <li>Foundation</li> <li>Oils</li> <li>Serums</li> <li>Sunscreen</li> </ul> <p><strong>3 months after opening</strong></p> <ul> <li>Mascara</li> <li>Liquid liner</li> </ul>

Beauty & Style

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Muffin Break manager admits to retrieving expired food out of a garbage bin

<p>A Brisbane Muffin Break manager has admitted to taking expired ham out of a garbage bin after employees claimed she warned them against wasting expensive food products.</p> <p>The Westfield Chermside Muffin Break store manager has found herself at the centre of the growing scandal after a staff member revealed her text message to the media.</p> <p>The message, which was sent to the workers, read: “We have so many conversations about these expired products … the price of shaved ham are $10.25 ... I took them out from the bin still trying to use it, but should I always doing this? is it right thing to do? Of coarse [sic] not!</p> <p>“There are lots of stuff has been wasted like this way, However this shop really can’t afford this waste anymore.”</p> <p>In the same text message, the store manager also suggested that employees who failed to comply to her rules would be given fewer work hours. “I have received few good resumes ... if new girls are doing better than you, they are going to take over your shifts,” the message read.</p> <p>“It felt so unfair to us all,” an employee told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/muffin-break-manager-pulls-outofdate-meat-from-bin-to-serve-to-customers/news-story/7b421b2f4dd6fbfb362cc48dca0ce6ab" target="_blank"><em>Courier Mail</em></a>. “People tend to follow [the manager]’s order quite intensely because she’s very bossy and everything has to happen as she says.</p> <p>“I don’t want anyone to lose their job, but I’d rather someone lose their job and customers be safe than a customer gets ill.”</p> <p>The manager told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/brisbane-news-muffin-break-expired-ham-staff-text-messages/889ce08f-dcda-4af0-b3ff-8afdf8c00b39" target="_blank"><em>9News</em></a> that she never intended to serve the disposed ham to customers. “Because I need to take a picture. That’s the reason,” she said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Muffin Break is in damage control, after a manager at the Westfield Chermside store reprimanded workers because she had to retrieve ham passed its best-before date, from the bin. <a href="https://twitter.com/RMorrison9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMorrison9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/KIOsR4On4Z">pic.twitter.com/KIOsR4On4Z</a></p> — Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1115533982005846016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A spokesperson for Muffin Break’s parent company FoodCo said an investigation had been launched into the Chermside store case.</p> <p>“Muffin Break is committed to the highest standards of food safety and workplace health and safety, and we do not condone these alleged practices.</p> <p>“We are still investigating the matter, however our initial findings indicate that the ham was not used in any products for sale. We will continue our investigations and take appropriate actions based on the final findings.”</p> <p>In February, the food franchise company also drew strong criticisms after its general manager complained that young people were no longer willing to work for free to gain experience.</p> <p>“There’s just nobody walking in my door asking for an internship, work experience or unpaid work, nobody,” Natalie Brennan told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/world-reacts-to-claims-made-by-muffin-break-general-manager-about-gen-ys-inflated-view/news-story/1a434cd546e890a6d6248528f0ef7017" target="_blank">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p>“I’m generalising, but it definitely feels like this generation of 20-somethings has to be rewarded even if it’s the most mundane, boring thing, they want to be rewarded for doing their job constantly.”</p> <p>Brennan issued an apology for her statement following a widespread backlash around the world. “The recent article does not reflect my values or those of Foodco,” she said in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/MuffinBreak/posts/2308315932533211" target="_blank">a statement</a>.</p> <p>“I don’t expect anyone to work unpaid and Foodco Group policy is, and has always been, that all employees including interns – employed either directly or through our brands – are paid according to relevant awards.</p> <p>“The unpaid work I referred to was supervised programs run through schools, TAFEs or universities, which provide valuable gained experience to people before they enter the workforce full-time. I want to apologise for any misunderstanding or upset caused by my comments.”</p>

Money & Banking

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These older models prove that beauty doesn’t have an expiration date

<p>A Russian modelling agency by the name of Oldushka is making waves on social media for exclusively representing models that fit in the mature age bracket.</p> <p>Founder of the company, Igor Gavar spoke to <em><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/oldushka-retiree-modeling-agency">Vogue</a></em> about what inspired him to start the initiative, saying: “Beauty – it’s a quality that becomes more valued with years … I met some very interesting faces, and I wanted to do a separate project with them. A modeling agency became that sort of project.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg6C8Heh6Ft/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg6C8Heh6Ft/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by O L D U S H K A (@oldushkamodels)</a> on Mar 29, 2018 at 5:22am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The agency is credited for showing the world that regardless of age, you can still be considered beautiful. The company only hires those above the age of 45, with their average “look” being men and women in their 60s.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the models that are breaking age barriers.</p> <p>Do you believe representation for the older generation is important? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Beauty & Style

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13 foods you should never eat past the expiration date

<div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Not every date you see on your food is an expiration date. Here are four common dates you may see in the grocery store and what they really mean, according to <em><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/grocery-store-eggs-milk-cheese-sell-by-expiration-date-2016-1" target="_blank" title="" data-original-title="">Business Insider</a></em>:</p> <p><strong>Sell-by date:</strong> How long the store has to display the product<br /><strong>Use-by date:</strong> When manufacturer thinks the product will be at its peak quality<br /><strong>Best before date:</strong> The best date for flavour and quality<br /><strong>Closed by date or coded dates:</strong> The packing number that the manufacturer uses</p> <p>None of these are expiration dates nor do they indicate whether food is safe to eat or not. In fact, the FDA allows manufacturers to sell almost any food past these dates, with baby formula being the exception. What’s more, manufacturers aren’t required to put any of these dates on their food; the decision is totally up to them.</p> <p>That being said, looks and smells can sometimes be deceiving (taking a whiff of the milk carton is not an exact science), which is why those expiration dates stamped on the packaging can guide you in the right direction and help prevent illness. From creamy cheeses to sandwich staples, it’s best to toss these foods once they’re past their given expiration date unless you want to roll the dice on an extra sick day.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>1. Egg substitutes</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>A full carton of eggs has a little more leeway than their boxed substitutes, but both should be consumed in a timely manner. If you’re debating whether to finish off that two-week-old carton of whites—don’t. “It’s very safe to keep eggs in the refrigerator for three to five weeks if they’re raw and in the shell. For egg substitute products, you have about three to five days on average once they’re open. If they’re unopened you have about 10 days,” says Jessica Crandall, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>2. Soft cheeses</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Harder cheeses like cheddar or gouda have a longer shelf life because it’s more difficult for bacteria and mold to permeate them. Once opened, hard cheeses may last up to six months in the refrigerator, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. However, softer cheeses like ricotta, cream cheese, or goat cheese, are more susceptible to mold and bacteria and should be tossed at the first sign of spoiling or once the expiration date has passed, whichever comes first. As a general rule of thumb, softer cheeses last about one week in the refrigerator after opening.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>3. Jarred condiments</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>It may seem like spreads and sauces last forever, but just because they’re in a glass jar tucked away in the cool refrigerator doesn’t mean they’re untouchable by bacteria. “Once you’ve opened the lid, that safety seal is broken, and you should be using that condiment in a timely fashion,” says Crandall. “In addition, as we make sandwiches for example, we dip our knife into the spread container and wipe it onto the sandwich and then dip it back into the container. By doing this you’re putting some of that bacteria back into the container.” Jarred condiments tend to have more exposure to bacteria and therefore could lead to foodborne illness if not trashed at the appropriate time. If you notice any water floating on top, discoloration, or weird smells – just toss it. <br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>4. Potato salad</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Similar to jarred spreads like mayo and mustard, potato or egg salads are more susceptible to bacteria growth because they have more instances of exposure. Taking a few scoops at a time from the container introduces more bacteria and increases risk of contamination leading to foodborne illness. Salads like these are often pushed to the back of the fridge and forgotten about, giving time for that bacteria to grow and for that food to spoil. “Our food system is very safe, but sometimes when things fall out of temperature or if there is bacteria introduced, we have to be extra cautious with those things,” says Crandall.<br /><br /></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>5. Cold-pressed juice</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Green juices may be filling up your Instagram feeds daily, but they should not find a permanent home in your refrigerator. Cold-pressed or raw juices are incredibly popular among the health-conscious because they’re nutrient-dense, but it’s important to consume them very soon after buying. Unlike typical processed juices which undergo pasteurization to kill off harmful bacteria and increase shelf life, these raw juices are not pasteurized, making them much more prone to bacteria contamination. Only buy from your local juice bar what you plan to drink in the next 48-72 hours if you want to avoid getting sick.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>6. Fresh meat</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>With fresh meat you’re usually dealing with a “sell by” date, which tells the store the last day it can keep that product out for sale. What does this mean for you? You either need to eat it or freeze it when you get home. “The ‘sell by’ is telling the store when it should be the last day to have it on their shelf. They may even be discounting the food to try to get rid of it if it’s the last day they can have it on their shelves,” says Crandall. A lot of fresh raw meat is also contaminated with <em>Salmonella</em>, <em>E. coli</em>, or other bacteria. With that in mind, it’s very important to cook the meat at the proper temperatures as a greater defence against bacteria.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>7. Ground meat</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>The<span> </span>US FDA <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/HealthEducators/ucm109315.pdf" target="_blank" title="" data-original-title="">says</a> that ground meat should be eaten or frozen within two days of purchase. This applies to beef, pork, turkey, lamb, and any other type of ground meat. Because it’s ground, the bacteria that were originally present on the surface can be mixed throughout the meat, increasing your risk of contracting food poisoning or another illness. Nuking your food isn't always a good idea either.<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/10-foods-you-shouldnt-reheat-microwave" target="_blank" title="" data-original-title=""></a></p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>8. Deli meat</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Take your ticket, but don’t load up too much at the deli counter. Those ham and turkey slices will only last about three to five days, so it’s important to only buy what you’ll realistically eat during that period. Pre-packaged deli meats sold in air-tight packaging will last a little longer than the fresh-sliced varieties if they’re unopened, but as soon as you crack the seal you’re working with the same three- to five-day consumption window for safe eating. Deli meat in particular is susceptible to a certain kind of bacteria called <em>Listeria</em>, which can multiply in cold environments like your refrigerator, so just because it’s cold doesn’t mean it’s completely protected. If the deli meat is a little slimy or giving off a funky smell, then that’s a good sign it needs to go.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>9. Fish</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Fish are no less prone to bacteria than meat and should be consumed in one or two days after purchase. Otherwise, Whole Foods <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/food-safety/handling-seafood-safely" target="_blank" title="" data-original-title="">advises</a> tightly wrapping it in moisture-proof freezer paper or foil and put in the freezer. <br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>10. Fresh berries</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Whether you get them from the store or a farmer’s market, berries have a short lifespan. Raspberries and strawberries are only good for about three days after purchase, while blueberries can last a few days longer in the fridge. Pro tip: Freeze any berries you know you won’t eat in that time frame. After that, they turn mushy and become susceptible to a bacteria called cyclospora cayetanensis, which can cause diarrhoea, bloating, vomiting, and other food poisoning symptoms. On the flip side, there are some foods you might be throwing away that you could be putting to good use.<br /><br /></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>11. Leafy greens</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Yes, even those packaged ones that are pre-washed. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.prevention.com/eatclean/foods-to-never-eat-past-expiration-date/slide/7" target="_blank" title="" data-original-title=""><em>Prevention.com</em></a> reports that these leafy greens still have the potential to carry bacteria like E. coli because they’re touched by so many hands. For your safety, wash all types of greens before eating and never consume them after any date posted on the bag. Why would you want a soggy salad anyway?<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>12. Sprouts</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Sprouts are grown in warm climates, which makes them ideal breeding ground for bacteria right off the bat. Eat them past their ideal date (about two days after purchase) and your risk of getting sick increases. If you’re pregnant or already sick, avoid them altogether. Another time to avoid sprouts is in a buffet.<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>13. Shellfish</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Like other seafood, raw shellfish can only last a day or two in the fridge before their bacteria can cause foodborne illnesses. Clams and scallops should be eaten no more than 24 hours after they are bought. Oysters eaten past their expiration date may contain vibrio vulnificus, bacteria that can cause blood poisoning. If you notice a strange odour from any seafood, throw it out immediately.</p> <p><em>Written by <span>Tiffany Gagnon</span>. This article first appeared in </em><span><em><a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/tips/13-foods-you-should-never-ever-eat-past-expiration-date">Reader’s Digest</a></em></span><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><span><em><a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></em></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Food & Wine

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Mum left blind after using out-of-date mascara

<p>While you might be tempted to touch your old cosmetics when getting ready for a special event, a mum has issued a warning after she was left blinded after using out-of-date mascara.</p> <p>Mum, Shirley Potter, was getting ready to go out with her young daughters when she decided to use some of her old cosmetics, some of which she had owned for years.</p> <p>Shirley was looking forward to the bonding time with her family as years earlier she had undergone a kidney transplant and had renal failure.</p> <p>The 50-year-old applied some blush and mascara before leaving for her night out, but she woke up the next morning with burning eyes.</p> <p>"I was born with a defect in my left eye, which meant I never had sight or feeling in it whatsoever,” Shirley told the<em> Daily Mail.</em></p> <p>“But the morning after our night on the town, I started to feel excruciating pain in both eyes – even then I knew something was seriously wrong.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="670" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819625/2_499x670.jpg" alt="2 (98)"/></p> <p>The pain started spreading down her cheeks and up her eyebrows, so she saw an ophthalmologist who diagnosed her with a mild infection.</p> <p>Months later, Shirley knew something was still wrong when she began falling over objects and was suffering from itchy eyes.</p> <p>After another examination, Shirley admitted to her ophthalmologist that she had used mascara that was 20 years old. The expert told her that mascara should only be used up to six months before being thrown out.</p> <p>Shirley has since been declared legally blind and will likely lose her vision within the next three years.</p> <p>As she struggles with the idea of losing her independence, she hopes her story will stop others from making the same mistake.</p> <p>“People need to be aware of how to look after their make-up and throw away anything that’s too old,” she told <em>That’s Life.</em></p> <p>“I hope the fact that mascara has made me blind is a wake-up call to others.”</p>

Beauty & Style

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Why you should never dispose of expired medications this way

<p>As we enter the last few weeks of winter, many of us will begin preparations for the big spring clean. However, experts warn that when it comes to your medicine cabinet, there’s only one way to properly dispose of expired and unwanted medications.</p> <p>More than simply taking up space in your cupboard, out-of-date drugs can be incredibly dangerous, Toni Riley from the Return Unwanted Medicines national scheme (the RUM Project), explains. </p> <p>“The ingredients may not be active, so they might be ineffective or could potentially make you sick,” she tells <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-02/how-and-why-you-should-dispose-of-expired-and-unwanted-medicines/8763822" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ABC Radio Canberra</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>“The active ingredients can go off easily. Medicines are designed to be stored in specific temperature conditions and most of our homes don't comply with that and where people keep their medicines is not ideal.”</p> <p>In addition, having expired drugs in the house could be catastrophic for the little ones in your life. “We know about 5,000 children are hospitalised each year because they’ve taken medicines they’ve found in their own homes,” Riley explains. “So the less we have hanging around the better.”</p> <p>What you might not have known, however, is that you should never throw your unwanted medications in the bin or flush them down the toilet, as they inevitably end up in landfill and can wreak havoc on the environment.</p> <p>Instead, Riley says you should collect all your expired and unneeded medications, supplements, gels and creams, place them in a bag, and drop them off at your local pharmacy. This way, they will be disposed of properly.</p> <p>“There’s no questions, it’s all very private, it just goes straight into the RUM bin ... and then sealed up and sent off to a high-temperature incinerator.”</p>

Caring

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Household items you never knew had an expiration date

<p>You might be on top of tossing out mouldy bread or out of date cheese, but there are items outside of the kitchen that have an expiry date too. Rather than hanging on to things until they break (or, you know, smell) you should actually be replacing or upgrading the following household items.</p> <p><strong>1. Pillows</strong></p> <p>If you’re sleeping on the same pillows year in year out, you’re most likely breathing in vast amounts of dust as well as exposing yourself to mould and mildew. Pillows need to be tossed out every three years at the most. Keep an eye on them and if they are yellowed or spotted with mould, it’s time to go.</p> <p><strong>2. Underwire bras</strong></p> <p>Even if you’ve spent a bit of money on your bra, over time it will begin to lose its shape – meaning less support for you. In fact, bras should only be worn for around 9 months.</p> <p><strong>3. Wooden chopping boards</strong></p> <p>Even if you give them a good wash after use, and dry them in the sun, over time your wooden chopping boards (and wooden spoons for that matter) can get mouldy. Around five years is the most you want to keep them on hand, so if you’re the proud owner of grannies’ old wooden spoon it might be time to replace it.  </p> <p><strong>4. Mascara</strong></p> <p>If the eye makeup that you use is more than six months old, you’re at risk of serious eye infections. Mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow – all of these shouldn’t be kept longer than the recommended time. Not sure how long they last? It’s actually written on the packaging. It is the number inside the picture of a small tub.</p> <p><strong>5. Washing up brush</strong></p> <p>It’s not just the cloths you use to wipe the bench that need to be replaced. Whatever you use to wash up also needs to be refreshed regularly. Over time, brushes and scourers can become clogged with food build up, leading to the growth of bacteria. Why not get into the habit of changing them every time you change your toothbrush (which is every three months in case you’re wondering).</p> <p><strong>6. Sneakers</strong></p> <p>If you’re regularly working up a sweat in your trainers, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Regular washing helps (most can be thrown into the washing machine) but even then sneakers should be replaced. For heavy users, swap your shoes at six months; while for intermittent users you can go to twelve months before upgrading. Same goes with your favourite slippers or bed socks.</p> <p>What else would you add to the list? Share in the comments below. </p>

Home & Garden

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10 common foods that will never expire

<p>Expiration dates can be so confusing these days, but with the foodstuffs in the list below you don’t need to worry. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a></strong></span> has put together a list of 10 common foods that you can still use, even if you’ve had them sitting in your pantry since the 60s.</p> <p>The reason? They’re never going to go off.</p> <p><strong>1. Honey</strong></p> <p>Even though it might change colour and become crystallised after a certain amount of time, honey stays safe to eat indefinitely, which just might put those bees out of business.</p> <p><strong>2. Rice</strong></p> <p>Brown rice has a higher oil content which can make it go off, but as long as it’s kept in an airtight container any type of white rice from jasmine to basmati should keep fine.</p> <p><strong>3. White vinegar</strong></p> <p>Don’t be afraid to buy bulk when it comes to white vinegar as it keeps fresh forever and is quite a useful ingredient when it comes to dressings and marinades.</p> <p><strong>4. Vanilla extract</strong></p> <p>Pure vanilla extract will stay fresh, but this isn’t true for the imitation brands. So it’s worth forking out a little more for a bottle of vanilla extract that won’t expire.</p> <p><strong>5. Salt</strong></p> <p>A bowl of hot chips would be lost without it, and the ever-important seasoning that is salt will stay fresh as the day you purchased it for years and years and years.</p> <p><strong>6. Sugar</strong></p> <p>Sugar doesn’t spoil as it doesn’t support bacterial growth, but you have to be careful and store it in an airtight container to keep bugs and moisture out.</p> <p><strong>7. Hard liquor</strong></p> <p>While some varieties of hard liquor might lose their aroma slightly over time, most types of hard liquor will stay good as long as you keep it in a cool, dark place.</p> <p><strong>8. Dried beans</strong></p> <p>While the ones that have been sitting in your cupboard since the 60s will take a while to soften when cooked, beans actually don’t lose their nutritional value with age.</p> <p><strong>9. Instant coffee</strong></p> <p>Keep instant coffee in the freezer and it will last forever, sealed or not.</p> <p><strong>10. Maple syrup</strong></p> <p>A stack of pancakes wouldn’t be complete without this popular condiment, and just like instant coffee if you keep it frozen it would keep forever. </p> <p>Do you use any of these food on a common basis?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/how-to-encourage-kids-to-love-cooking/"><strong>5 reasons why it’s important to let kids loose in the kitchen</strong></a></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2016/08/bananas-under-threat-of-extinction/"><strong>Bananas under threat of extinction</strong></a></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/08/tricks-for-the-perfect-roast-potato/"><strong>Heston Blumenthal’s 10 tricks for the perfect roast potato</strong></a></span></em></p>

Home & Garden

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7 ways to use yogurt that’s about to expire

<p>The overstocking impulse seems to come from a good place— especially when it’s healthy food. However, it’s a habit that often leads us to resentfully scooping spoiled yoghurt into the kitchen bin.</p> <p>Luckily, there’s a way not to let it go to waste, and it doesn’t involve choking it down when you’re full. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://food52.com/blog/14227-9-ways-to-put-your-yogurt-dregs-to-good-use" target="blank">Food 52</a></strong></span> gathered up some fantastic ideas for ways to use yogurt in creative cooking ways.</p> <p><strong>1. Make coffee</strong></p> <p>Yogurt will give coffee a consistency like a coffee milkshake or a caffeinated smoothie.</p> <p><strong>2. Pasta sauce</strong></p> <p>You can either use it to replace sauce entirely for pasta dishes, or, add it to risotto or pan sauces when you make steaks or curries.</p> <p><strong>3. Fluffy pancakes</strong></p> <p>Added to pancake mix, yoghurt gives the end result a light, airy, not-too-sweet kick.</p> <p><strong>4. Salad dressing</strong></p> <p>Yogurt’s perfect for making salad dressings, especially creamy ones like blue cheese.</p> <p><strong>5. Create your own sweets</strong></p> <p>Just squeeze drops out of a plastic baggie onto a baking tray and freeze. You can dress up the frozen pieces with chocolate, sprinkles, or whatever you like.</p> <p><strong>6. For baking</strong></p> <p>Yoghurt is a fantastic, healthy substitute for butter, shortening, and eggs in recipes for cakes and quick breads.</p> <p><strong>7. Spread on burgers and sandwiches</strong></p> <p>Yoghurt is especially good paired with lamb burgers, but works just as well as a general mayonnaise substitute.</p> <p>Have you tried any of these? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/toxic-items-in-your-home/"><em>10 toxic items in your home that might surprise you</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/how-to-stop-crying-when-chopping-onions/"><em>How to stop crying when chopping onions</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/kitchen-tricks-foodies-will-love/"><em>16 kitchen tricks foodies will love</em></a></strong></span></p>

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