The Hotel Scenario.

In the spirit of 'thrifty living' I thought I would share, what I refer to as, the 'hotel scenario'. We all do it although some might just not realize that it has a name. When staying in a fine establishment that provides you with simple amenities such as shampoo, tea...toilet paper, most of us have little qualms about taking it all and making use of these simple goods at a later date. It is there for the taking, part of the package. Would the hotel staff notice the missing items? Probably, but the beauty is that you will be half-way to Mexico by then. Is this stealing? Absolutely not. You are entitled to theses things. As a student you must take what you can get - without breaking the law of course. I would also like to note that I did not invent the 'hotel scenario'. It has been brought down from generations of H-Clan members - in this case, from father to daughter.

My lifestyle allows me to call 'home' to a variety of places despite having only temporarily lived there. Hence, when I visit the H-Clan in Vietnam I claim myself as a 'guest' as I know that Vietnam is probably not going to be a long term living situation. I visit for three weeks and then pop back to school. This is why I feel that I am justified in applying the hotel scenario to my very own home. Did I take one or two packs of Vietnamese napkins halfway across the world with me in order to save a few pennies in my pocket? Yes, I did. And I am not even ashamed of it.

As a student, sometimes you have to relinquish the store bought for the home-made. This is where applying the hotel scenario in your own home can be of much use. Home-made goodness is always best produced in the loving environment of family kitchen yes? I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Mumma J and Papa Pete for providing me with breakfast for the last few months.

Christine's Home-made Muesli
By C. Henriques

WHAT YOU NEED:

3 cups wholegrain oats

½ cup oat bran

¾ TSP of Cinnamon

¾ TSP of Vanilla Essence

¼ cup sunflower oil

3 TBS of honey

1 cup of chopped, mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia, linseed)

1 cup of chopped, mixed nuts

¾ cup of chopped, mixed dry fruits (cranberries, raisins, dates, apricots)


WHAT YOU DO:

Preheat oven: 180 degrees C

Place the vanilla, oil and honey into a small saucepan for about 2 minutes until combined. Combine the rest of your ingredients (except the mixed fruit) into a bowl. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to combine. 

Once combined, spread evenly onto a baking tray. Place in the oven for 25 minutes. Remember: Everything 5 minutes or so, take the baking tray out of the oven and give your muesli a bit of a shake. This will help your creation to cook evenly. 
Once cooked, stir in your mixed dried fruit - and enjoy!


- C.