How to cure meat at home: a guide to simple methods
Ready to get your teeth into something meatier? This kit from The Real Cure comes with four bacon cures (including hickory smoked and sweet molasses) that are pre-mixed to help you get the best results. Each cure will work on up to 1.5kg of bacon, and accessories include all the essentials plus a butcher hook. Don't be daunted; Amazon reviewers are encouraging, saying: "Try it, it's a lot easier than you think."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
2 hours ago
- NBC News
How to get rid of flies, mosquitoes, gnats and other household insects
We don't always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often should you wash your hair and more. There are many things to love about warm weather. Think summer travel, trips to the beach or strolls through the park. What's not so great about increasing heat and humidity is that many of the bugs, insects and pests we work hard to get rid of throughout the year seem to come out in swarms compared to cooler months. This is a great time to get a refresher on how to get rid of flies (and other pests) quickly. Many common causes for house flies stem from exposed and/or rotting food, either in the trash can, garbage disposal, pantry or on the counter. Open windows, especially ones with air conditioning units in them, also allow flies to sneak into your home. To find the best way to get rid of flies (and fast), I spoke with multiple cleaning experts for their guidance. How to get rid of flies, according to experts The best way to get rid of flies and other flying insects is by regularly cleaning areas that are susceptible to attracting them, according to Ian Williams, technical manager at extermination services company Orkin. 'Proper waste management and sanitation is the single most effective way to keep flies and fruit flies out of a home,' he says. Taking out the trash frequently and rinsing out beverage containers can also go a long way in preventing flies from entering your home. You should also consider some of the top-rated products below for getting rid of flies — they all have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best products for getting rid of fruit flies Aunt Fannie's FlyPunch Fruit Fly Trap $7.96 Amazon $7.96 Walmart This looks like it should go in your cabinet next to salt and pepper, but it's actually meant to capture fruit flies hiding in your kitchen, bathroom or living room. All you have to do is open the lid, place it on a flat surface, such as your kitchen countertop, and let it attract the fruit flies. It contains a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, malic acid, ethyl lactate, water and vinegar. It also lasts up to 30 days and is great to use outside in the garden or if you sell food at a farmer's market, according to the brand. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin is a fan of the product and uses it regularly in her apartment. Similar to baking soda, apple cider vinegar has multiple uses outside of cooking, including getting rid of fruit flies. In the summer, I always add apple cider vinegar (not white distilled vinegar), such as this one from Lucy's, to a small bowl or condiment dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and poke small holes on the top with a toothpick. The smell of the apple cider vinegar acts like a magnet for flies. Additionally, Delah Gomasi, managing director and CEO of cleaning services company MaidForYou, highly recommends using both apple cider vinegar and a bit of dish soap for getting rid of fruit flies. 'The main reason a mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap works so well in eradicating fruit flies is because the apple cider vinegar attracts the fruit flies whilst the dish soap traps them in the mixture,' he says. This gel treatment, which has a 4-star average rating from over 14,000 reviews on Amazon, is the answer to getting rid of flies that seem to come out of nowhere. It goes directly into the drain of your kitchen sink, which is a common hotspot for flies in the home. The gel treatment then cleans out grime and food residue that may be attracting insects and causing unpleasant smells. It helps wash away fruit flies, drain flies, eggs and nests, according to the brand. It's also non-corrosive, so you don't have to worry about it damaging your sink drains, pipes or garbage disposal, according to the brand. You only need one cup of the solution for each use to start getting rid of flies. The best products for getting rid of house flies, mosquitos and gnats Zevo Plug-In Flying Insect Trap $19.99 Amazon $19.99 Target $19.98 Lowe's This plug-in fly trap has a 4.3-star average rating from over 53,000 reviews on Amazon, and it uses a blue UV light to attract and trap flies indoors, according to the brand. It's effective in capturing fruit flies, common house flies and gnats. The cartridge on the inside also has an adhesive covering so the insects don't escape, according to the brand. You can buy multiple cartridges and replace them when you're done using one by simply sliding it on and off of the device. This fly trap uses light to attract flies, but it also is great for getting rid of fruit flies, gnats and moths, according to the brand. The back of the device has a glue card that attaches to the plug — this helps keep the flies and other insects in place and out of sight. You can also buy multiple glue card replacements, which you can use in rooms of varying sizes. Malin also uses the device in her home. Aside from a plug-in fly trap or drain cleaner, a fly ribbon is also quite effective in trapping flies. These ribbons, which have a 4-star average rating from over 12,000 reviews on Amazon, use a subtle scent to attract flies and the adhesive on them keeps them in place. They expand into a long spiraled ribbon, which you can attach to a wall, windowsill or door, according to the brand. All you have to do is place in an area that gets a good amount of natural light, which is more likely to attract flies and other pests. What attracts flies in the home? There are a few common causes for flies around the home, according to our experts. While there are a few different types of flies, in addition to other flying insects that are often confused for one another, like mosquitoes and gnats, many of them are typically caused by the following factors: Fruit and sugar: Both fruit flies and house flies, both of which are categorized as 'filth flies,' are extremely attracted to the smell of fruit, according to Gil Bloom, president of pest control company Standard Pest Management. 'In the home, they are typically introduced as eggs on fruit and produce which then emerge once fermentation starts,' he says. 'You can see this relationship if you look at fruit stands.' This problem arises when the fruit is left out, unwashed, overripe and/or rotting in a trash, fridge or cabinet or on a countertop. Additionally, fruit flies gravitate toward sugar substances like soda, fruit juice and candy. Fermentation: Similarly, fruit flies are often attracted to the smell of fermented foods and drinks, such as beer, wine, kombucha, yogurt, cheese and bread. While you keep these items in the fridge, things like small spills or crumbs left on the counter can attract flies. Plus, when you throw these items out, they can still attract flies due to residual matter. This is why Bloom recommends regularly rinsing out containers, cans and bottles before throwing them out to prevent flies. Decaying matter and filth: Other types of filth flies, such as the house fly, may gravitate towards fruit, but they're also attracted to dirtier materials, according to Bloom. This includes leaking drains, dirty mops, compost and pet litter. This could also include bits of food sitting in your garbage disposal. Windows and weather: Lastly, leaving windows and doors open, even for a few seconds, gives flies the easiest entry into your home. That said, you may also notice an increase in flying insects like flies, fruit flies, mosquitoes and fungus gnats during late spring and throughout summer, according to Williams. 'Flies and fruit flies have more access to food sources in the warmer months, as they're attracted to rotting produce that is more abundant this time of year,' he says. In other words, a more humid environment makes it easier for flies to survive and reproduce. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? I am a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I cover cooking, cleaning, wellness and other lifestyle content. I also write many of the site's holiday gift guides.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
I tried CeraVe's new foam cleanser – and it's not what I expected
Fans of CeraVe will relish the brand's affordable, no-nonsense approach to facial cleansing. Do away with the essential oils, scrap the yellow and pink colouring, and hand over what's left: a targeted approach to bacteria and grime, specific to each skin type. It currently has a range of face cleansers, from an exfoliating salicylic acid formula (£10.80, to a hydrating one (£9.36, for dry, delicate complexions. And CeraVe has just added another to its cleansing roster aimed at normal to combination skin types. As someone who loves CeraVe, I was excited to hear word of a new launch: the balancing air foam cleanser (£10.86, But, I was dubious of the formula as I'm not normally a fan of foams. By design, foams require surfactants – ingredients that help lift dirt and oil but can often be drying. For years, brands like Clearasil and Neutrogena leaned into this, creating foaming face washes that stripped the skin under the guise of controlling acne and shine. Ironically, such formulas can backfire. Harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) may compromise the skin's surface, creating tiny fissures that allow sebum to leak through. Dr Stefanie Williams, a registered dermatologist and medical director at Eudelo skin clinic, explained: 'Foaming cleansers, often marketed for oily or acne-prone skin, can actually make things worse when overused or poorly formulated as they can damage the skin barrier and disrupt the epidermis, triggering reactive oil production and congestion.' The result? More oil, more shine, and a disrupted barrier. So when CeraVe used the term 'balancing' to describe this cleanser, I had my doubts. The question is, does it buck the cleanser curve? How I tested I used CeraVe's balancing air foam cleanser for 10 days in the mornings and evenings, the latter as a second cleanse after removing make-up. I applied two to three pumps of the formula to my skin, massaging it into the surface before wiping it off with a hot flannel. I paid attention to the texture, feel and post-use results, noting any changes to the tightness or hydration of my skin. I also considered the value for money across ingredients and packaging, stacking my real-time review up against its on-paper benefits. Here's how I got on. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Lucy Smith is The Independent 's beauty writer. She has grown increasingly familiar with CeraVe – from its revitalising eye cream to its vitamin C serum. Regarding cleansers, she's covered multiple in her five years in the industry, including Elemis, The Inkey List and more. She's interviewed numerous skincare experts, from plastic surgeons like Dr Rebecca Rollett to dermatologists and aestheticians to understand different ingredients and formulations.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
ESPA's 'hydrating' eye masks that 'reduce deep lines' now 24% off
ESPA's Isotonic Hydra Gel Eye Masks are a quick and convenient way to refresh the eye area after excessive screen time, jet lag and late nights - and they boast anti-ageing benefits For those battling the signs of ageing, such as tired eyes and puffy bags, wellness brand ESPA has a new trick up its sleeve. The ESPA Isotonic Hydra Gel Eye Masks promise a wealth of anti-ageing benefits to rejuvenate the skin around the eyes. Currently, there's an opportunity to bag these eye treatment at 24% off on Amazon, with the price slashed to £34.96. Inside each pack, you'll discover 30 pairs of masks, equating to merely £1.16 a pop for each treatment. Ideal for combatting the effects of endless screen time, relentless jet lag, or simply too many late nights, this product is set to be a game-changer for refreshing your gaze. Composed of an impressive 98% natural ingredients, these masks boast Snow Mushrooms, teeming with polysaccharides for that additional protective layer and a boost of hydration, leaving skin radiant. They also contain vegetable taurine to amp up skin hydration and diminish the look of weariness. Incorporating Spirulina Platensis Extract with its antioxidant prowess, the masks work to enhance skin elasticity feeling and smooth out those tell-tale dehydration lines. These eye masks aren't just effective; they're visually interesting with their blue hue, promising to be the perfect quick fix, reports the Express. Following a swift 10-20 minute session, 97% of users reported feeling "instantly hydrated", while 94% noted the masks had "left fine dehydration lines around eyes appearing softened". In addition to ESPA, shoppers can explore alternative eye gel masks from other reputable brands. For instance, Rodial's Bee Venom Jelly Eye Patches are available on Amazon, priced at £20.99 for four pairs, while Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks can be found at Boots for £52. The ESPA product comes accompanied by a pair of plastic tweezers, enabling a sanitary application process. The eye patches are lauded for their rapid efficacy, delivering 'a surge of nutrient-rich super serum'. One satisfied customer shared: "It absorbs easily without tackiness. I'm convinced they reduced the deeper lines under my eyes which just means, I'm going to have to keep buying it." Another individual sang its praises after testing the eye patches, stating: "My skin felt nicely hydrated and looked fresh. At my age I need all the help I can get." Some customers did note that the eye masks may slide downwards during use, suggesting that it is ideal to apply them while reclining. However, another customer mentioned: "I haven't noticed any other visible differences but I would use again for the hydrating benefits as I do suffer from dry skin." Shoppers can also find the ESPA Isotonic Eye Gel Masks at LookFantastic, where they are currently available at a discounted price of £36.80 with 20% off.
