Wednesday, 12 November 2014

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sydney morning herald

Qantas lures passengers with better meals

QANTAS has released a bigger, better dining service for its economy passengers, as part of efforts to turn the ailing airline's fortunes around.

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Green Coke

Coke Life first launched in South America in 2013, before being introduced in the UK and US markets over in August and September this year. It looks like regular Coke, but comes in a green can or a bottle with a green label.
KEBABS are bloody delicious.
But a cheeky late night or lunchtime kebab is often accompanied with a mountain of food regret. We’ve always assumed kebabs are super unhealthy, but hoping to convince ourselves otherwise, we asked nutritionist and dietitian Susie Burrell for the lowdown.
And the good news is, Burrell says kebabs are “actually not that bad”.
“They’re not deep fried. The meat’s not too bad. You get some salad in there. I think there are worse options,” she said. Score!
Are kebabs actually that bad for you?
Om nom nom. Source: Supplied
Burrell says the key to keeping your kebab healthy is to skip the cheese and extra creamy sauces.
“When you have cheese, sour cream, garlic sauce … that’s when it goes a bit haywire. So skip those and you can ask them for less meat, although that’s probably not going to happen at 2am,’’ she says.
She says the main problem with kebabs is the portion size — they’re basically two serves of food.
“A kebab is around 500-600 calories. And often you’re having a kebab after you’ve already eaten dinner. But in terms of the composition it’s not awful. Nutritionally it’s not too bad.”
Ask for extra salad and less meat to make your kebab healthier.
Ask for extra salad and less meat to make your kebab healthier. Source: Supplied
Burrell says asking for a ‘baby kebab’ — some kebab shops sell small or kids’ sizes kebabs — or sharing one with a friend (cute) is a good option.
“Kebabs or a grilled chicken burger or a plain hamburger are OK late night food options. Pizza is one of the worst. So are fried chips and fast food burgers, because they’re so easy to overeat,” she says.
I know what I’m having for dinner tonight.


Home prices have risen by more than 16 per cent in Sydney, and almost 11 per cent across
Home prices have risen by more than 16 per cent in Sydney, and almost 11 per cent across all the capital cities combined.Source: News Limited
TALK about overvalued house prices, and the finger is invariably pointed at cashed-up investors. But they aren’t only to blame for real estate costing a bomb in your capital city.
It’s true that negative gearing and capital gains concessions make housing an increasingly attractive proposition for investors but limited land is what’s really driving up house prices.
This land shortfall is created by state governments which limit its release for development.
And the reason for that is simple. High house prices lead to more stamp duty and that is a major source of state revenue.
New research shows capital city land prices surged six per cent in the last 12 months.
The median selling price for capital city land now stands at $247,000, and the cost of land, per square metre, has grown eightfold since 1990, according to RP Data.
A lack of vacant residential land and shrinking lot sizes in capital cities have driven prices higher, RP Data national research director Tim Lawless said.
Land prices have become a key contributor to rising home prices — particularly in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, he said.
Shrinking lot sizes in have driven prices higher.
Shrinking lot sizes in have driven prices higher. Source: News Corp Australia
The data suggests the cost of materials and labour have changed very little, so it is the rising cost of vacant land that has pushed up housing costs.
“The combination of smaller land lot sizes and rising prices is likely to continue,” he said.
Home prices have risen by more than 16 per cent in Sydney, and almost 11 per cent across all the capital cities combined.
Former treasurer Peter Costello this week said state government taxes on the release and transfer of land were restricting supply, and contributing to price rises.
The Reserve Bank has also expressed concern about surging house prices, with board members at their most recent meeting noting that the risks associated warranted “ongoing close observation”.
The bank said further speculative demand could amplify the property price cycle and increase the potential for a fall in property prices, which could dent household wealth and spending.