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Showing posts from January, 2020

Hate exercise? Here's how to regain your motivation and make workouts fun!

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Have workouts become a drag? If your New Year’s resolution was to get fit this year, you might find that a month in, you’re lacking in motivation. But there are ways to make workouts fun again, according to Tally Rye; Personal Trainer and author of Train Happy: An Intuitive Exercise Plan For Every Body.. You don’t have to go to the gym ‘If you dread going to the gym and your whole workout feels like a chore – switch it up. There are so many great ways to move your body that don’t involve a gym setting. Why not try hiking, rock climbing, netball, a run group, pole fitness or even dance class,’ says Tally. ‘Experiment with different activities and find the one that makes you feel good. If you enjoy it, chances are it’s going to become something to look forward to.’ Question your motivation Tally explains that for so long, the narrative has been that exercise is simply something we do as a means to lose weight fast and make aesthetic changes. She adds: ‘Therefore, motivation to w...

How to make your own cat draught excluder

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Keep draughts at bay with this easy-to-make excluder, perfect for cat lovers. The colourful appliqués depict a group of feline friends, that will style up any door or windowsill. Time to make: 4 hours To make this cat draught excluder, you will need: Bondaweb Six 10 x 10cm patterned fabric scraps Scissors 40 x 75cm yellow fabric Sewing machine Hand sewing needle Matching thread Navy embroidery thread (optional) 2.5m navy blue piping Pins Piping foot 1kg rice Small resealable bags Stuffing     How to make this cat draught excluder: Start by creating theappliqués: Print and the cat excluder template . Fuse the Bondaweb to the wrong side of the patterned fabric scraps. Trace around the cat shapes onto the paper backings fused to the fabrics and use a pair of scissors to cut out six appliqués. Cut the yellow fabric into two 20 x 75cm rectangles. Fuse the cats to one of the rectangles at equal distances apart. Stitch the appliqué cats in place using a sew...

How many calories are there in a McDonald’s breakfast? Most popular options revealed

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Ever wondered how many calories are in a McDonald’s breakfast? We’ve got all the details below plus the best and worst options… Breakfast is a love it, hate it or no time for it meal for many! While making your own healthy, low calorie breakfast is preferable, we understand that sometimes it’s not practical to carry food around with you and you want something fast and on the go. McDonald’s is one of the most popular and well-known fast food chains and the breakfast menu is more popular than the regular menu with some! So last year when the decision was made to extend the breakfast hours to 11am, it was very well received. The breakfast menu includes wraps, rolls and the iconic McMuffin but the calorie count varies massively. For those trying to make lighter choices, it’s worth taking a look at the calorie count, as there are some options for under 300cals and several around the 400 mark. Read more: The 400-600-600 rule: Everything you need to know about Britain’s new ‘diet’ O...

Chicken noodle soup, pork skewers and bean fritters: recipes for a Burmese meal | Dan Ashton and Zaw Mahesh of Lahpet restaurant

An enticing, traditional Burmese meal of bean fritters and pork skewer starters, coconut noodles with chicken and cassava cake for pudding Prep 10 min Cook 20-25 min Serves 4-6 Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/391WZXJ via IFTTT

‘I feel like an absentee in my own life!’ Cold Feet actress Hermione Norris on why she struggles working away from home

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We’re delighted to see Cold Feet is back again, along with one of our favourite actresses, Hermione Norris. She’s been a regular fixture on our TV screens in a wide variety of shows, from Spooks to Wire in the Blood and Luther. But it’s her role as Karen in the hit ITV show that has really found a place in our hearts. And it’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since she first appeared in Cold Feet because Hermione, now 52, doesn’t seem to have aged a day! But she’s the first to admit she finds her busy career and home life a challenge to juggle. She’s just finished a lengthy period working away from her home in Dorset, where she lives with her husband, TV writer and producer Simon Wheeler, and their two children, Wilf, 15, and Hero, 12. ‘I’ve been away maybe nine or 10 months,’ she reveals to our sister publication Woman’s Weekly . ‘I was in Australia for almost five months filming a series called Between Two Worlds. Then I headed straight to Manchester to film Cold Feet for 12 we...

Will Harry and Meghan ever come back to the UK?

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The bombshell, when it dropped, resonated around the world. No more HRH – from now on it’s all about Harry and Meghan. ‘We intend to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent,’ Harry and Meghan announced, ‘while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.’ But the furore about the devastating impact on the British monarchy – and their ‘betrayal’ of the Queen – has simply served to push them further away. And now, friends say, an even more shocking scenario is up for discussion: the very real possibility that Harry and Meghan may be gone for good. ‘The way she feels right now, the last thing Meghan ever wants to do is come back to these shores,’ a well-placed source tells our sister publication Woman. ‘If she felt upset before they made their announcement, that was nothing compared to how she feels now. ‘Harry would lay down his life to protect Meghan and Archie, and if Meghan says she wants to stay away for good, ...

How to turn stale nuts into a tasty snack - recipe | Waste Not

What to do with that bag of nuts going stale in the cupboard? Turn them into cake toppings, blend them into a marzipan, or toast them with spices or honey… Last summer, we made baklava for 100 people at a wedding, but somehow misjudged the amount of nuts we needed and were left with a mountain of pistachios and walnuts. Although it’s unlikely you’ll have quite the quantity we had, a pack of nuts is easily forgotten, left to go stale at the back of the larder. Stale nuts are totally fine to eat, of course, but they do need to be processed to make them delicious again. Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they’ll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads. Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2RPZrex via IFTTT

How to make Romy Gill's spicy chickpeas

Thanks to the convenience of the tinned version, making this dish has become a whole lot quicker, says Romy Gill from The Independent - Recipes https://ift.tt/2Uh6XjY via IFTTT

Take One Tin cookbook: Recipes from lentil ragu to courgette bean dip

Who says you need a huge ingredient list and complicated recipes to make good food? Not Lola Milne. Simple, store-cupboard essentials can easily be turned into winning dishes too from The Independent - Recipes https://ift.tt/31ffdTh via IFTTT

Amy Chaplin Wrote a Cookbook That Makes Healthy Eating Look Amazing

Amy Chaplin made a cookbook perfect for people who live for exciting, somewhat “out-there” condiments, snacks, and side dishes. from Healthyish Recipes, Food Trends & News https://ift.tt/37L4imp via IFTTT

Anna Williamson reveals an elective caesarean is the ‘best money she ever spent’

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Celebs Go Dating’s Anna Williamson has praised private elective caesareans after having a ‘terrible’ natural birth with her first child. Credit: Getty Images Anna Williamson and partner Alex welcomed their first child Enzo in 2016, but she suffered a ‘traumatic birth’ at the time. Speaking to OK! , she revealed, “I’ve been vocal about why I wanted an elective caesarean because I had such a terrible natural birth with Enzo. It was a forceps delivery and I sustained a lot of blood loss so, for safety reasons and mainly for my mental health, I wanted an elective. “I wanted to guard as much against having postnatal depression and birth trauma again as a result of having that control.” Anna is known for her honesty when it comes to her struggles, especially around the postnatal depression she experienced with Enzo. The presenter also suffers from generalised anxiety disorder. View this post on Instagram The Fam. My everything. When 3 became 4...

Cocktail of the week: Kerridge’s avocado cooler

Hair of the dog won’t get much better than this gin and lime with a backdrop of smashed avocado and ginger If you’ve managed to make it all the way through dry January without a single slip-up, congratulations; and here’s a refreshing reintroduction to booze to kickstart the rest of the year. It’s not too strong, either, so is perfect for a weekend brunch. Serves 1 Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2GGcJUf via IFTTT

This is why holding hands with your partner deepens your bond

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If you’ve been in a romantic relationship, you’re probably used to holding hands. Whether you’re walking together or sitting down to relax, it’s a nice experience. Credit: Getty Images But aside from being a natural, romantic activity for couples, holding hands strengthen your emotional connection too. There’s a good reason for this too. According to Silva Neaves, psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist, when you hold the hand of someone you love, your breathing starts to sync up with the person you’re with. She also revealed that “emotions will flow from one person to the other”. Speaking to Cosmopolitan , she said, “It appears that holding hands serves the purpose to feel a deepening in human connections.” In addition to this, Silva said, “Many studies in neuroscience show that touch produces oxytocin, a feel-good chemical that is very good for your mental and physical health.” Credit: Getty Images Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes bonding, connection, empathy and ...

Peppa Pig has a new voice as long-time actress steps down from role

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Much-loved children’s cartoon character Peppa Pig has found a new voice this year, as long term actress Harley Bird steps down after 13 years. Credit: Getty Images Nine-year-old Amelie Bea Smith will take over from BAFTA-winning actress Harley Bird, and step into the role in February. She will be the fourth actress to voice the animated pig. Amelie has already found work on the small screen, and has appeared in several episodes of EastEnders in 2018 and 2019. Her first episode as Peppa Pig will be released on Valentine’s Day. Mark Jermin, Amelie’s agent, said, “Amelie has been a huge fan of the show since she was little, so voicing the title role is like a dream come true and she’s thrilled to become part of the voice cast.” Peppa Pig co-creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker, from animation studio Astley Baker Davies, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Amelie to the Peppa Pig voice cast and confident that she will continue the strong legacy of the previous Peppa voice actors. “...

Salad and sticky cake: Anna Jones’ blood orange recipes | A Kitchen in Rome

The blood orange is a chink of light in the dark of midwinter. Make a meal of them in a rich, warm salad bursting with citrus punch, followed by a spicy, sticky cake I am a food nerd. Every year when foods I like come into season, I get as excited as a normal person might about a new coat or seeing an old friend. Right now, it’s blood oranges that have my attention. Dip dye ruby red when you cut into them, blood oranges arrive just when we need them: when it’s bleak outside. I realise I am a special type of nerd and, for a lot of people blood oranges are hard to find (if so, use clementines), while some won’t even notice that they have come and gone. That’s why one of today’s recipes is for cake, which I’ll bet will get a few more of you excited, anyway. Continue reading... from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Uk1VmG via IFTTT

Aldi slashes the prices of its Prosecco to under £5 in time for Valentine’s Day

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Whatever you’re doing this Valentine’s Day, it’s hard to turn down a nice bottle of Prosecco. Credit: Getty Images Thanks to Aldi, treating yourself just got a whole lot cheaper, as they’ve reduced the price of their San Floriano Prosecco DOC to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day for less this year. According to Aldi, ‘Whether you’re popping bubbles with girl friends or splashing out on Oysters for your loved one, it’s not just easy on the palate, it’s easy on the wallet too.’ They added, ‘Reduced from £5.49, it’s the best value Prosecco on the market.’ Sounds good to us! In a statement, Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying Julie Ashfield said, “With Valentine’s approaching, we’re excited to be able to offer our customers a great-value and quality fizz to enjoy with a loved one (or their friends). We have reduced our best-selling San Floriano Prosecco DOC to just £4.99 which is sure to be a hit with shoppers.” A bottle of prosecco is the perfect accompaniment to any special meal...

Scarlett Moffatt reveals epic transformation after donating her hair to children with cancer

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Scarlett Moffatt’s latest hair transformation has done more good than just revamping the former Gogglebox star’s look. Credit: Getty The hilarious Geordie telly favourite took to Instagram yesterday to show off her new hairdo, having added a touch of blonde to her brunette locks with the magic of extensions. But in true Scarlett tradition, the kind hearted showbiz sweetheart made sure that her glam make over was far from a shallow affair. Beside her selfie showing off her bouncy curls, the 2016 I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! winner assured her followers that her old extensions hadn’t gone to waste, explaining that they had gone to The Little Princess Trust. View this post on Instagram Let’s find out if blondes have more fun (well sort of blonde) Massive thank you to @greatlengthsuk for this amazing colour change with extensions & for @jofoxhair for fitting the extensions & for helping me donate my old hair extensions to @of...