howto Archives – www.jocajic.com

SIMPLE TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE COOKING AND LESS CLEANUP

January 22, 2026 No Comments

Hello Everyone!

I hope you’re all having a great week and finding ways to make the most of your time amidst the busy days.

If you’re anything like me, you absolutely love eating great food, but sometimes the actual process of cooking—the chopping, the timing, the endless cleanup—feels like too much work. I want delicious, wholesome meals without the effort of a professional chef! I deserve comfort food that doesn’t lead to hours of scrubbing. I’m all about finding the easiest path to a good result. I’ve figured out that the secret to cooking more often is just making it less messy, less intimidating, and less complicated. It’s about efficiency, not fancy techniques! Here are four simple kitchen tips and mindset shifts for making weeknight dinners stress-free:

HOME, LIFESTYLE

5 SIMPLE WAYS TO TURN YOUR HOME INTO THE ULTIMATE SANCTUARY

January 15, 2026 No Comments

Hello everyone!

I hope you’re all doing great. I’m doing well, just trying to enjoy these new year days as the UK has decided it’s time for some icy chilly weather.

I don’t know about you, but as soon as I feel that chill in the air, I get the urge to nest. It’s like my home instantly changes from a bright, airy summer space to a cosy cave I never want to leave. But sometimes, getting ready for that shift can feel like a huge task, especially after warm weather.

If you read my tips on spring cleaning the lazy way, you know I’m all about finding the simplest way to get things done without getting frustrated. Transitioning your home should feel warm and welcoming, not stressful.

So, here are five super simple steps I take to cosy up my home for the season without having to overhaul everything!

1. The Great Textile Swap

This is the fastest way to change the mood in a room. Put away those light linen throws and airy cotton pillow covers! Pull out all your thick, chunky knit blankets and toss them strategically over the back of the sofa or on an armchair. Swap out a few decorative pillows for ones in richer textures (velvet, faux fur) or deeper colours (mustard, rust, forest green) for the extra touch. It instantly makes the living room feel like a hug. It’s such a quick fix, and you can store the summer stuff away until next year—one less thing to look at!

2. Embrace the Kettle and the Mug Pile

Winter means hot drinks are back on the menu. But don’t just grab any old mug. Make it a ritual and pull out your absolute favourite, biggest, heaviest mugs. I swear, a hot chocolate or a simple cup of tea tastes better when the mug feels substantial. Arrange your tea caddy, coffee pods, and hot chocolate mix in a cute little corner next to the kettle. Having a designated “cosy drink station” makes those afternoon breaks feel special and organised.

BEAUTY, HOME

WINTER SKINCARE SWITCHUP: Simple Changes Your Skin Needs Now

January 8, 2026 No Comments

Hiya!

I hope you’re keeping warm and enjoying the New Year so far. I’m doing great, but I’ve definitely noticed the dry, crisp air chill—and my skin has noticed too!
Just like we swap out our light summer clothes for cosy knits, our skincare routine needs a little seasonal maintenance. When the humidity drops, and we start using indoor heating, our skin can get dry, flaky, and a little bit sensitive.
You know I’m all about simple, skincare that makes sense in real life. This isn’t about buying 10 new products, although I have done that before; it’s about making a few simple substitutions to keep your skin hydrated all season long.
Here are the three simplest swaps to make in your beauty routine this winter:

1. SWAP YOUR CLEANSER (Go Creamy, Not Foamy)

That super-foaming gel cleanser you loved in the summer for controlling oil? It might be too harsh now. Foaming cleansers can strip your skin’s natural moisture barrier, leaving it tight and irritated in the cold.
Instead, move to a cream, milk, or oil cleanser. These formulas cleanse just as effectively but are much gentler. They keep essential moisture locked in, which is crucial for fighting off dryness. My skin immediately feels calmer and less sensitive when I make this change!

HOME, LIFESTYLE

8 KITCHEN GADGETS FOR EASIER COOKING

January 1, 2026 4 Comments

Happy New Year,

If you’re currently reading this while surrounded by leftover holiday snacks and a slightly exhausted Christmas tree, please know: you are my people. While the rest of the world seems to be shouting about “New Year, New Me,” I’m over here just trying to remember what day of the week it is.

The truth is, big changes don’t have to happen overnight. If you aren’t feeling that “grand transformation” spark just yet, don’t worry, you aren’t behind. Today’s post is all about easing into the year at your own pace and finding joy in the small, messy and wonderful beginnings. So, how about checking out these 8 clever kitchen gadgets for easier cooking?

1. The Multi-blade Vegetable Chopper

If you find yourself procrastinating on cooking because of the “mountain of onions” standing in your way, this is your new best friend. These choppers allow you to dice, slice, and spiralize an entire onion or bell pepper in one swift motion. It cuts prep time and keeps the onion vapours away from your eyes. Usually best when used for batch cooking, salads, and homemade salsas.

2. Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer

No more cutting into a steak to “see if it’s done” or hovering over the oven. A wireless thermometer (like the Meater) syncs to your phone and alerts you the second your meat reaches the perfect internal temperature. It eliminates the guesswork and ensures you never serve dry chicken or overcooked roast again. Great for Sunday roasts, grilling, and thick-cut steaks.

3. Clip-On Pot Strainer

Bulky colanders take up half the dishwasher and even more space in the cabinet. A silicone clip-on strainer (often called a Snap N’ Strain) attaches directly to the edge of almost any pot or pan. You can drain pasta or grease with one hand, and it’s small enough to tuck into a drawer. Useful during pasta nights and browning ground beef.

HOME, LIFESTYLE

THE POST-CHRISTMAS RESET: Reclaiming Your Home (The Easy Way)

December 26, 2025 2 Comments

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with love, laughter, and far too much good food. I’m doing great, though I am currently sitting in the middle of what looks like a wrapping paper explosion—anyone else?

As much as I love the magic of the big day, that period between Christmas and New Year’s can feel a bit… well, chaotic. The house is full of new gadgets, the fridge is bursting with leftovers, and I usually have no idea what day of the week it is!

Instead of stressing about a massive “Deep Clean,” I like to follow a “Gentle Reset” routine. It’s about clearing the clutter so you can actually enjoy the last few days of the year without feeling overwhelmed. Here is my simple, step-by-step guide to getting your home (and your sanity) back in order with the post-Christmas reset.

1. TACKLE THE “Wrapping Paper Avalanche”

Before you do anything else, grab a large bin bag and do a quick sweep of the main living areas. Clear away all the ripped paper, empty boxes, and plastic packaging. It’s amazing how much “space” you get back just by removing the trash. If you have high-quality gift bags or ribbons, put them in one designated box to reuse next year—but if it’s crumpled, let it go!

HOME, LIFESTYLE

HOW TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME

January 22, 2025 105 Comments

As much as I like being organised, there are moments where it gets out of hand and I end up going back to square one and restarting all over again. Most of the time it’s because I haven’t decluttered for a while and that goes wrong real quick and doing it after a while does help to feel that you’re getting a hand on what’s in your home. Plus once you remove all the clutter, it does feel good and makes your home cleaner and your life much more easier. That’s why today, I am here to tell you how to declutter your home.

1. ANALYSE

The first thing you need to do is analyse what you have around your house, go into each room see what you have and know which room to start with. If you were organised before and you just declutter once in a while, then you probably already know what’s in every room. I showed you a while back how I get organised and how it has made my life so much better. Once you’ve perused through each room, we now get into the nitty gritty and here are questions you will have to answer in the process.

HOME, LIFESTYLE

5 TIPS TO SPRING CLEAN THE LAZY WAY WITHOUT GETTING FRUSTRATED

March 1, 2024 25 Comments

It’s been a while,

Hello everyone, how you all doing? I hope you are fine. I know it’s been long and I have been MIA for a while but I was on a mini holiday visiting friends and family and promised myself not to do any blogging. It wasn’t easy but I actually managed to even stay two days without seeing my laptop which is unheard of. Anyway I am back and ready to get back to it and get on with some writing. Who wouldn’t love 5 tips to spring clean the lazy way without getting frustrated? I know I would. I am not perfect and so if I am able to figure out ways to make spring cleaning faster and easier then I am all for it. In case you missed my useful tips to help you get organised, then do drop by here first. So lets get started.

FOOD, HOME

SWEET & TANGY OVEN-BAKED SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN

October 2, 2023 No Comments

Hello Everyone,

I think I can actually agree that I eat too much chicken at this point and need to start venturing out to other meats. Today is all about this scrumptious sweet & tangy oven-baked spatchcock chicken recipe. Very simple and comes out so juicy. The best part is the oven does everything for you and all you have to do is make the sauce, coat and back to the oven it goes. First things first, let’s talk about the prepping of the chicken.

How To Spatchcock A Chicken

Take your chicken and place it upside down on your cutting board.
The main thing is to cut off the backbone starting from the neck upwards to the tail.
You can use kitchen scissors or my go-to a sharp kitchen knife.
Once the backbone is out, turn it right side up and gently press the breast bones gently to flatten it out.
That’s it and you have a spatchcocked chicken.

FOOD, HOME

SPICY LEMON GARLIC KENYAN MASALA CHIPS RECIPE

September 22, 2023 No Comments

When I think of this Kenyan chips masala recipe, It takes me back home and reminds me of my college days and how much I used to stuff myself with them. If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, then you know I am Kenyan and I love sharing my Kenyan recipes with you and most of you seem to like them. From my samosas, chapatis, beef pilau, mandazis and kachumbari. Chips masala/ masala chips whichever way you say it, makes no difference. I still crave them from time to time and making them at home is even more satisfying. If you try this recipe, please don’t come and complain to me that you can’t stop having them because they are that good. Perfectly spiced fries with a touch of lemon for good measure, for this recipe you will need;

BLOGGING, HOME

WHAT IS EVERGREEN CONTENT AND WHY YOU NEED IT FOR YOUR BLOG

February 26, 2023 20 Comments

Hey there,

When it comes to blogging, I am sure you’ve all heard about evergreen content or maybe have come across it at some point. If I only knew about this the first time I started blogging then it would have made a lot of things easier and I would have avoided some mistakes that I made along the way. I mean you publish fresh content expecting loads of traffic or even just a bit of attention and you get NOTHING. I know the feeling and if you have experienced this then you’re not alone and it’s fine because we tend to learn from our mistakes.