Yesterday afternoon, I was watching TV when I saw an advert for Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser which claims to " get rid of the bacteria that survive and can be transmitted within the wash when you wash at low temperatures". Now, I'm really sorry but is it me, or is the answer simply to wash your laundry on a hotter wash!?? I realise that what with everyone being encouraged to consider energy efficiency and with high electricity bills just now, it's recommended that we use a lower temperature in our washing machines but I'm sorry, rather than wash my clothes in even more chemicals, I would much rather hike up the temperature and kill the little buggers that way. Maybe I'm totally missing the point?? I really don't know. I realise that nowadays, parents are encouraged to blast everything with chemicals and sterilise things to within and inch of their lives in order to keep their precious darlings safe from germs but I have to say, the majority of kids today are growing up to be a generation of cotton-wool-swaddled-pale-faced-indoor-computer-playing clones. They don't play outside any more or run around in the fresh air and heaven forbid they should actually get dirty and they always seem to be ill. I have a theory. I personally believe it's because their lives are so sterile that they don't build up any immunity to anything. I might be completely wrong but, my kids always played outside, they got muddy, they rolled on the floor with the dog and they were hardly ever ill. Even now, as adults, they are robust, healthy human beings with well developed immune systems and I can say, hand on heart, that I have never used an antibacterial spray in my life. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should let our kids run wild like savages, a-la Lord of the Flies, but come on people, use a bit of common sense, there has to be a middle ground between keeping them in a hermetically sealed bubble and abandoning them in the woods to be raised by wolves! Anyway, rant over. Sorry but I do sometimes wonder what the world is coming to.
On a much nicer note, I just thought I would show you a loaf of bread I made last week, inspired by The Great British Bake Off. As you know, I am now a lean, mean, bread-making machine and love nothing more than transforming flour, yeast, salt and water into something totally delicious and as I was feeling daring, I decided to make a plaited loaf.
On a much nicer note, I just thought I would show you a loaf of bread I made last week, inspired by The Great British Bake Off. As you know, I am now a lean, mean, bread-making machine and love nothing more than transforming flour, yeast, salt and water into something totally delicious and as I was feeling daring, I decided to make a plaited loaf.
Eat your heart out Paul Hollywood :-)