Sunday, May 31, 2020

UK HMRC Codes 2020 -21

UK tax system too difficult for landlords and self-employed ...








BR: You have a second job or pension that is taxed at 20 per cent.

C: You pay the rate of income tax in Wales.

D0: Income from this source is taxed at the higher rate: 40 per cent.

D1: Income from this source is taxed at 45 per cent.

L: You are entitled to the personal tax-free allowance of £12,500 and no more.

K: You have a negative amount of personal allowance, possibly because of other income, taxable benefits from your employer and money you owe HMRC.

M: Your spouse or civil partner has transferred 10 per cent of his or her £12,500 (£1,250) personal allowance to you, known as the Marriage Allowance, reducing your tax bill by £250.

N: The other way round — you have transferred 10 per cent of your allowance to your partner.

NT: You pay no tax on any of your income.

0T: All your income is taxed. You could get this if you have change jobs and have not had a P45 showing how much tax you have paid so far this year.

S: Your income or pension is taxed at the Scottish rate.

T: Your tax code requires other calculations to work out your current personal allowance.

W1 or M1: Emergency tax code. HMRC needs more information.


More Details here https://www.gov.uk/tax-codes


Monday, May 18, 2020

Pizza in a pan

Recipe from Waitrose Cooking School. Serves 2-4 (2 x 30cm pizzas) | prep time: 20 minutes + proving | cook time: 15 minutes

See the source image

INGREDIENTS  

For the dough 

  • 7g dried active yeast
  • ½ tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
  • ½ tbsp fine sea salt

For the pizza

  • 1 x batch tomato sauce
  • ½ x 250g pack grated mozzarella / any cheese you like 
  • 150g pack essential  Italian mozzarella cherries, halved / any fruit you like
  • ¼ x 25g pack basil, leaves only ( Optional if you dont like it)
  • ½ tbsp olive oil ( Use alternative oil like Coconut / Mustard) 

 METHOD

  1. To make the dough, mix the yeast, sugar, and olive oil with 325ml of warm water and leave to stand for 2-3 minutes until the yeast is totally dissolved.
  2. Combine the flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and mix to bring together.
  3. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until you have a smooth elastic dough. Place in a large flour-dusted bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for 45-60 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.
  4. Preheat the oven to 250℃ fan and place a flat oven tray or pizza stone on the middle shelf.
  5. Place a non-stick pan on a high heat.
  6. Divide the dough into 3 and shape into a small ball. Dust the surface of the dough generously with semolina and press the dough, flattening using your hand until you have a round even shape.
  7. Pick the dough up and stretch it out, rotating as you go to maintain a round shape. Place the dough on the surface so it catches the semolina on the bottom then carefully place into the hot frying pan.
  8. Spread 3-4 tbsp of the tomato sauce evenly over the base. Sprinkle over the grated mozzarella, mozzarella balls and half of the basil leaves, then drizzle with the oil.
  9. Place in the oven and cook for 12-15 minutes until the base is golden and crisp and the toppings are melted. Scatter the remaining basil on top and serve.

Chef's tip

Use this recipe as a base for creating your own pizza - try adding olives, anchovies, capers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, cooked ham, spicy salami, gorgonzola, ricotta or any of your favourite toppings. Parma ham and rocket is delicious scattered over the pizza after it's cooked.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Sweet Roll

INGREDIENTS


150ml lukewarm milk
5g instant or dry yeast
One egg
300g bread flour
Pinch of salt
50g cream cheese
METHOD
1. Put everything in a stand mixer, using the dough hook and mix it on a low speed for 15 minutes.
2. Take it out and form a round ball, put it into a bowl and proof for 60 minutes or until it is double the size.
3. Divide it into 12 equal balls.
4. Proof it for a second time for 45-60 minutes.
5. Sprinkle some flour on top and bake at 160 degrees Celsius in a fan force oven for 15 minutes. 
6. Remove and enjoy warm. 

SWEET BREAD ROLL - Jehan Can Cook

Friday, May 8, 2020

We will meet again


Lyrics to Dame Vera Lynn's wartime classic.

We'll meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet

again some sunny day

Keep smiling through

Just like you always do

'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please

say 'Hello'

To the folks that I know?

Tell them I won't be long

They'll be happy to know

That as you saw me go

I was singing this song

We'll meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet

again some sunny day

REPEAT


Monday, May 4, 2020

Oma Water / Ajwain Water


Ajwain water for Babies and Kids


Oma water is an ayurvedic marvel, especially for women.


It cures the problem of indigestion for pregnant ladies by cleaning the uterus and stomach and solves the issue of irregular periods. 


Oma water is also often given to babies to reduce the problem of gas that causes discomfort. 


To prepare oma water, boil 2 teaspoons of roasted ajwain/Carom seeds in water.

Strain this mixture and drink. 

You can add 1 teaspoon of honey for flavour. 


Drinking ajwain water regularly is known to enhance your rate of metabolism, burns fat and thus helps in losing weight.

If you suffer from chronic flatulence, then drinking Ajwain water regularly can help with the condition

Thymol present in Ajwain seeds, helps release gastric juices in the stomach thereby accelerating the process of digestion.


Thursday, April 16, 2020

Virtual museum visits

British Museum, London

This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour.

Guggenheim Museum, New York

Google’s Street View feature lets visitors tour the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary eras.

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

This famous American art museum features two online exhibits through Google. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, including many renderings of clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second is a collection of works from Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

You can virtually walk through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

One of Korea’s popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. Google’s virtual tour takes you through six floors of Contemporary art from Korea and all over the globe.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin

As one of Germany’s largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer – even if you can’t physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Explore the masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including works from Vermeer and Rembrandt. Google offers a Street View tour of this iconic museum, so you can feel as if you’re actually wandering its halls.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Anyone who is a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close) by virtually visiting this museum – the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

European artworks from as far back as the 8th Century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence, Italy’s most famous families, the de'Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de'Medici, but anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world.

MASP, São Paulo

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit and Brazil’s first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear perspex frames make it seem like the artwork is hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Built in 1964, this museum is dedicated to the archaeology and history of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic heritage. There are 23 exhibit rooms filled with ancient artifacts, including some from the Mayan civilization.

Sadly, not all popular art museums and galleries could be included on Google Arts & Culture’s collection, but some museums are taking it upon themselves to offer online visits. According to Fast Company, the Louvre also offers virtual tours on its website.
To see more of Google Arts & Culture’s collection of museums, visit the collection’s website. There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well. Google Arts & Culture also has an online experience for exploring famous historic and cultural heritage sites.

Friday, April 3, 2020

Deskercises






















Setting a daily routine and good habits
Being at home all week is very new to some of us. Hopefully by now you have organised your workspace to make it ergonomic, in line with Health and Safety guidance. Following that, it’s important to get into a routine and rhythm.
  • Start your day as if you were going into the office – it helps you establish a morning routine and become more mentally ready for the workday
  • Remember to take breaks – it can be easy to become absorbed in what you’re doing, but ensure you take regular breaks, stand up, stretch, make a drink, check on your pets – anything to step away from your workspace. You should also enjoy your lunch away from your workstation
  • Make a list and plan your daily work activities – just as it does in the office, this will help you stay on track, remain focused and help you maintain momentum
  • Stop working – you can’t ‘leave’ work when you’re working from home, so ensure that you wrap up and stop for the day. If you’re working in a communal space such as at the dining table, you may like to pack up your workstation at the end of the day or week to create a physical distance from work and allow yourself to ‘switch off’
You may also experience a distinct lack of physical activity, you’re no longer walking to the station or office, doing the school run and other daily activities that add to your step count, so make sure you step away from your chair for some outdoor or indoor exercise (in line with local guidance).
  • Couch to 5k programme – a light jog or gentle run can help clear your head, increase endorphins and improve your mood. If you’re new to jogging, download this app and get started. You can also use this app indoors on a treadmill, elliptical or similar machine
  • Yoga – if you feel a bit sore after a day at your desk, yoga can be a great way to stretch out your muscles and recalibrate your posture. Yoga with Adriene covers many classes of various abilities, you could start with the 30 days of Yoga series
  • Cardio – if you prefer more high-energy cardio, find a variety of cardio, dance and pilates workouts on this YouTube channel. Joe Wicks 'The Body Coach' also has many home workouts you can follow for various abilities including a more gentle series for seniors and a daily workout for children

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Microwave bread recipe


Lemon Poppy Seed Bread - Cooking ClassyIngredients (serves 1)
  • 40g self raising flour
  • 1 egg white
  • 25g margarine
  • Squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1/3 tsp sugar
  • 1/3 tsp baking powder
  • If you like to add poppy seed pls add when you mix

Method
  • Get a large mug / rectangle bowl and whisk the egg until foamy
  • Add baking powder and lemon juice then mix
  • Add all of the other ingredients to the mug / rectangle bowl and mix until smooth and sticky
  • Microwave for 90 seconds
  • Slice and toast
    • Enjoy :)

Friday, March 20, 2020

Chicken Talk


A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and talking with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your girlfriends," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you'll have, you are still going to need girlfriends.
Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. And remember that "girlfriends" are not only your friends, but your sisters, your daughters, and other relatives. You'll need other women. Women always do."
'What a funny piece of advice,' the young woman thought. 'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! -- a grownup. Surely my husband and the family we'll start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother; she kept contact with her girlfriends and made more each year.
As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, girlfriends are the mainstays of her life.

After many years living in this world, here is what I've learned:

Times passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Careers end.
Jobs come and go.
Colleagues forget favours.
Men don't call when they say they will.
BUT girlfriends are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley, and you have to walk it for yourself, your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out. My mother, sister, sister-in-law, "sisters," extended family, and friends bless my life!
When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead.Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.
Pass this on to all the fabulous women in your life..  
Reach out to your school and college friends say hello it may be many years but they will respond to you

Your girlfriends.