How to exclude a category from this?

[efeezy]

Is there an easy way to add an exclude category function to this recent posts query? I have one category that I don't want to show when this pulls up recent posts. Any help is appreciated.

<?php
       $show_post = 3;
       $recent_posts = new WP_Query();
       $recent_posts->query('showposts='.$show_post.'&orderby=date');
       while ($recent_posts->have_posts()) : $recent_posts->the_post();
?>

 

[Perma]

In the source below, categories 1 and 3 will be excluded.

<?php
       $show_post = 3;
       $recent_posts = new WP_Query();
       $recent_posts->query('showposts='.$show_post.'&cat=-1,-3&orderby=date');
       while ($recent_posts->have_posts()) : $recent_posts->the_post();
?>

 

[efeezy]

Thanks. Worked like a charm.