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7 Renter-Friendly Tips To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Editorial Team
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7 Renter-Friendly Tips To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

With the rising cost of energy, and although Brit’s are due to be given a grant to ease the cost of living, many of us are looking for ways to keep already pricy bills down. In fact, searches for “energy saving tips” have seen a 175% increase in the past 12 months. 

While there are lots of things homeowners can do to make their homes more energy-efficient, from investing in window treatments and attic insulation to replacing their boiler, for renters, such major changes are less conceivable.

With this in mind, and with the help of the experts at GTSE, here are 7 ways to help those renting make their properties more efficient. With energy-saving hacks starting from as little as £3, there are plenty of options to help improve the efficiency of your home and lower those fast-rising bills.

Layer Up Some Rugs

Did you know that studies have shown a home can lose 10-20% of its heat through uninsulated flooring? While carpets are a very effective way of insulating your home, what should a renter with a wooden floor do? Consider adding some layers to your floor with rugs. Indeed, area rugs don’t just add colour and style to your home, they keep your floors cosy, adding extra insulation to your home.

Layering trendy rugs is a renter-friendly tip that will not only make your home look stylish, but keep the heat in, too. The Spruce explains that “Layering rugs work best when your two rugs are two different sizes. One should be large and more dominant, and the others should be smaller and act as an accent”.

Draw Your Curtains 

Every tenant knows that using soft furnishings can make your rental flat feel like a home. Whether it be via trendy rugs, throws, cushions, curtains or an upholstered piece of furniture, fabrics can add texture, personality and colour to your living space. Swapping out curtains is also an easy way to make the place your own. Moreover, hanging heavy curtains over your windows can help make your home more energy-efficient.

Indeed, using thick, insulating curtains, and drawing them as soon as the evening comes in, can help keep the heat in, especially if you have drafty windows. Although not as budget-friendly, these types of curtains can also be picked up for about £50.

According to researchers at the University of Salford, drawing your curtains in the evening reduces heat loss by up to 17%. You can further this by choosing to use electrical tape to secure your curtains to the wall. Although this seems like more of a drastic measure, it can increase heat loss prevention up to 25%, by preventing cold air from the windows coming around the curtains.

Use Foil

It’s worth making sure that you’re maximising the work radiators are doing to heat your home. You can do this by simply installing radiator foils behind your radiators.

Radiator foils basically work to help keep more heat in the home by reflecting the warmth back in the room, instead of escaping through the walls. This hack can cost as little as £7 and is a super easy change to make to your home for some impressive results. In fact, studies have shown that using certain types of radiator foils can save you up to £4.02 per radiator, depending on the type of property you have.

Reinforce Your Windows’ Insulation

It’s important to ensure you insulate every part of your home from the attic to the windows, to the walls, doors, and floors. There are also some easy hacks to help you insulate your home from as little as £3.

Windows account for a whopping 25% of heat loss in homes, so they should be considered as a priority when insulating. In turn, you could keep your home warmer through winter. Beyond opting for double glazing, you can buy window insulation kits for £3 which can help as an easy, simple way to keep more heat inside and those bills down.

Unique Ways to Reduce Water Consumption

Although there are plenty of basic ways to reduce water consumption just through your daily routine, such as turning off the taps when brushing your teeth or just spending less time in the shower, there are also some budget-friendly improvements you can make to your home to help reduce how much water you use.

You can invest in water saving showerheads, prices can vary for these, but they start from around £12 per head. These low-flow heads work by simply reducing the amount of water that needs to run through the shower without dampening the water pressure. Some modern models can also reduce the amount of water needed by almost half!

These are also a great hack for those that are not on a water meter as they’re still reducing the amount of water you need to heat up, in turn reducing your energy bills.

Use Smart Power Strips

Smart power strips are essentially outlet extensions that automatically stop power from going to your electronics when they’re plugged in but not in use. They can help to reduce your overall energy bill by up to 10% annually.

Invest in an Eco-Kettle

Kettles can be one of the most wasteful uses of energy, especially if you’re heating more water than what you need. However, you can find environmentally friendly kettles which use as much as 30% less power to heat your water. Check out the Which? round-up of the best eco-kettles to buy here.

The Bottom Line

Commenting on the tips, Tom Armenante, Ecommerce Director from GTSE says, “Energy bills have reached an all-time high, and to no surprise, majority of us are on the look-out for ways to help save some money on costly bills.’ 

‘We hope these tips provide some inspiration on just some of the ways homeowners can look to make their rental homes more efficient, with plenty of budget-friendly options also available to keep the warm in and the cold out.”

Everything You Need To Know About Dog Harnesses

Editorial Team
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Everything You Need To Know About Dog Harnesses

We are most certainly a nation of pet lovers – an unavoidable fact when more than half of us own a pet! And more than half of pet owners own a dog, bringing fresh meaning to the term ‘man’s best friend’. Well, man’s best friend deserves the best – and when it comes to choosing the right accessories for your dog, only the best should do. Harnesses can be a confusing thing for many pet owners, but we’re here to demystify them a little, and help you choose the right one for your dog.

Collar Or Harness?

When it comes to choosing a dog harness, there is first a decision you need to make – do you need a harness or a collar? The two are similar in function but actually have different applications; a collar is often better suited for convenience, and for attaching personal information to your dog in the event of them running away.

However, unless you have an aggressive dog in need of discipline, a collar can actually be unsuited to the task of allowing you to lead your dog. Leading by the neck can lead to difficulty breathing and even injury to your dog, especially if they are small or excitable. 

Read: 7 IDEAL dog breeds to best suit your lifestyle

A dog harness, meanwhile, allows you to safely lead your dog by the body – distributing any strain around the body and making for a much more comfortable experience. The only real downside is the time it takes to put one on your dog. But as a pet lover, you will naturally want what’s best for your furry friend!

A word of warning, as the Mirror reports “dog owners who switch from a collar to a harness on walks could be breaking the law if their four-legged friend isn’t also wearing a collar with an identity tag”. The paper goes on to explain “that’s because failing to put your name and address on your dog’s tag when out in public is illegal and could land you a hefty fine – and even time in jail”. Indeed, according to The Control of Dogs Order 1992 law for Scotland and England a dog must wear a collar with the owner’s name and address on it.

Read: How to help your dog sleep better

Choosing A Harness Type

If you’ve settled on getting a harness for your dog, your next step is to choose what kind of harness to get. The most common types of harness are back-clip, front-clip and dual-clip in design; the clips refer to where the leash is attached, and allow you different kinds of control over your dog.

Here you should also consider how you get your dog into the harness; do you want to slip it over-the-head or have a step-on one? As the New York Times explains “The way you get your dog into a harness will vary greatly depending on the one you buy”.

Tightening harnesses are available for dog training and discipline, but should be avoided if you are not experienced with dog discipline.

Harnesses are ultimately a practical item, but that doesn’t mean they need to be ugly. There is a whole host of designer dog harnesses of all different types available, allowing you to show off your dog in style while keeping them safe and comfortable on walkies.

Read: 10 reasons on why dogs are great companions

The Right Size

Harnesses do not only differ in type; there is also size to take into consideration. The harness you choose must fit your dog snugly, but not too tightly so as not to incur injury when walking. Harnesses are generally adjustable, but should be purchased with the rough size of your dog in mind.

To fit a harness properly, there are three key measurements you need: the widest parts of your dog’s chest and neck, and your dog’s overall weight. These can help you make a more informed decision on a comfortably sized harness that does not cut or restrict.

Introducing Your Dog To A New Harness

Your dog is not likely to immediately take to their new harness – new things can be scary, especially if they do not smell of home. As such, you should take care when introducing your dog to their harness. Do not rush things, and do not get too overzealous in tightening it first time around. Let your dog get used to the harness, positively reward them for wearing it, and soon they will be bounding into it whenever it’s time for walkies.

50 SIGNS YOU ARE A FOODIE

Rachel Stevenson
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50 SIGNS YOU ARE A FOODIE

A foodie is a person who has an ardent or refined interest in food and alcoholic beverages. A foodie seeks new food experiences as a hobby rather than simply eating out of convenience or hunger.

Think you’re one? Well a study by Green & Black’s revealed the top 50 foodie indicators, which include always trying new dishes when eating out and being willing to try all kinds of different ingredients when cooking.

Knowing the correct pronunciations of unusual or exotic foods, reading food magazines and being able to recognise what is missing from a dish, simply by tasting it also featured on the list.

Choosing to eat in different restaurants is the top sign you are a foodie, followed by enjoying trying new dishes when eating out and looking forward to the weekly food shop – as opposed to seeing it as a chore.

Being willing to try all kinds of food and ingredients came forth, with knowing what wine to pair with meat and fish, and reading food magazines at five and six in the list.

Knowing the best herbs to use to compliment a dish, experimenting instead of following recipes to the letter, creating your own meals from scratch and being able to recognise when a dish is missing something simply by taste complete the top ten.

Other signs to feature in the list include being someone who enjoys watching cookery shows and going to small independent or specialist shops rather than supermarkets to buy ingredients.

1. You eat in lots of different restaurants

2. You enjoy trying new dishes at a restaurant

3. You enjoy shopping for food

4. You’re willing to try all kinds of food/meals/ingredients

5. You know what wine to pair with which meat or fish

6. You read food magazines

7. You know which herbs complement different dishes

8. You experiment instead of always relying on recipes

9. You creating your own recipes from scratch

10. You can recognise when something’s missing in a meal/sauce just by tasting it

11. You know all of the correct pronunciations of unusual or exotic foods

12. You’ve dined in a Michelin starred restaurant

13. You can create a meal from the last few ingredients in your cupboard

14. You enjoy watching cookery shows

15. You can turn leftovers into a whole new meal with the addition of a few herbs and spices

16. You go to places other than supermarkets to buy ingredients

17. You use Instagram/twitter/Facebook to post pictures of food

18. You know the difference between the various cuts of meats and which ones are best for different meals

19. You write a food-related blog

20. You rarely eat ready meals/pre-packed food

21. You regularly talk about what you eat with friends and family

22. You have well-used recipe books

23. You make your own pasta

24. You choose a holiday destination based on the local cuisine or the restaurants nearby

25. You enjoy tweaking recipes with your own creative twist

26. You read food blogs and websites

27. You can present food nicely on the plate

28. You regularly invite friends and family over for dinner

29. You consider yourself to have well-honed taste buds

30. Your spare cash is spent on eating out

31. You can whip up a cake without having to use a recipe

32. You have created a Pinterest album of recipes and food ideas

33. You own a good set of kitchen knives

34. You’re happy to cook with an audience

35. You don’t hesitate to complain after a bad meal in a restaurant

36. You grow your own herbs

37. You make bread from scratch at home

38. You use a variety of different types of oil

39. You don’t ever think food/a restaurant is too expensive

40. You growing your own vegetables

41. You own a pestle and mortar

42. You always try to use locally sourced or organic ingredients

43. You buy spices etc. whilst on holiday/travelling

44. You can cook steak to your perfect preference every time

45. When ordering food with friends, you suggest ordering different dishes so you can all share and try each other’s

46. You have a full range of herbs and spices on display in your kitchen

47. You can use chopsticks

48. You know all of the uses for kitchen utensils

49. You own a good pair of weighing scales

50. You own an apron

5 IDEAL COFFEE SHOPS IN NØRREBRO, COPENHAGEN

Joseph Gann
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5 IDEAL COFFEE SHOPS IN NØRREBRO, COPENHAGEN

When you mention the coffee scene to a Copenhagen insider, the term that proceeds it is often ‘cutting edge’. But that notion, when mixed with a Scandi aesthetic, may elicit ideas of sparse, spartan spaces of blond wood, minimalism, and apathy at the pumps.

Let’s cast that assumption aside right away; the city’s coffee is made with love and care at every level, from the sourcing to the grinding, the blending, the roasting and the rest, made with a passion to rival any city on the planet. Combine that with that all important Danish emphasis on the cosy and convivial, and you’ve got yourself the perfect blend.

We’re heading to the city’s hippest neighbourhood to get our caffeine fix with our pals; the timekeepers and coffee drinkers Nordgreen, at these 5 IDEAL coffee shops in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.

COFFEE COLLECTIVE

We had to start here. Was there even coffee in Copenhagen before the Coffee Collective opened? It’s hard to miss it now, with branches in Jaegersborggade (where we’re at today) Bernikovsgade, Gothersgade and Torvehallerne food market.

The approach to coffee is holistic, starting with a close working relationship with farmers and attention to sustainable production, all the way down to their coffee school offering everything from classes on the best home brewing techniques to the skills needed to be a barista. Needless to say, the final product here is superb. If you’re to only drink one coffee (one?! who are you?) while you’re in Copenhagen, make it here.

Website: coffeecollective.dk
Address: Jægersborggade 57, 2200 København, Denmark 

5 of the best coffee shops in NØRREBRO, COPENHAGEN©The Coffee Collective Facebook

MØLLER

Winners of the best breakfast in town in 2015, and certainly not resting on their laurels since, Møller also serves a damn good bean juice, shipped in straight from the Coffee Collective. Their motto reads that the first meal of the day should be ‘an inspiration’ and this level of energy is channelled into their produce; a trip the Danish capital wouldn’t feel complete without a brekkie (brunch, or lunch; they serve until 3pm) of their dark focaccia bread or fermented plate of sourdough, tabasco and prunes.

If you’re in the mood for something more substantial for your supper, then one of Copenhagen’s best pizza joints, Baest, is just around the corner.

Website: www.moellerkbh.dk 
Address: Nørrebrogade 160, 2200 København, Denmark 

5 of the best coffee shops in NØRREBRO, COPENHAGEN©Møller Kaffee Facebook 

ARREBO

The ace up local favourite Arrebo’s sleeve is their street side seating in a perfect sunspot for a bright, crisp day we so love to spend in Copenhagen. The food menu is lead by organic produce with a wellness bent, the vibe is welcoming and the coffee strong. What more could you ask for?

Website: www.instagram.com/arrebonorrebro
Address: Midgårdsgade 1, 2200 København, Denmark

5 of the best coffee shops in NØRREBRO, COPENHAGEN© Arrebo Facebook

ORIGINAL COFFEE

With a total of eight coffee shops across town, they must be doing something right. The Original in Norrebro is where we find ourselves today, twitching slightly from our fourth espresso of the day. But this is a special place worth agitating for, with bench seating right on the Sortedams Sø lake. When the sun sets and the light shimmers off the water, there really is no better place to be. Original Coffee’s commitment to coffee extends to their local micro roasting business, allowing for quality control which translates into great product.

Website: originalcoffee.dk
Address: Sortedam Dossering 9, 2200 København, Denmark 

© 5 of the best coffee shops in NØRREBRO, COPENHAGENoriginalcoffee.dk

ANDERSEN & MAILLARD

Two ingredients for a great cafe are both present and correct here; they have their own bakery and they roast their own speciality coffee. Go alone for their famous and exceptionally delicious almond croissant or one brushed with espresso, stay for the freshly ground, roasted inhouse mug of the good stuff.

Website: www.andersenmaillard.dk 
Address: Göteborg Pl. 19, 2150 Nordhavn, Denmark

6 Ways To Take Control Of Your Health

Editorial Team
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6 Ways To Take Control Of Your Health

Never has the collective health of the nation – scrap that, the world – been more important. And yet, it can feel like we have less personal control over it than ever. Public health decisions taken seemingly at random, COVID guidelines still present in some circumstances and open to misinterpretation, and a prevailing suspicion of authority have all added up to a feeling that our health is currently not in our carefully washed hands.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Fortunately, there are things you can do, personally, to keep fit and healthy, putting your best foot forward as summer reaches its peak. Here’s how; our 6 ways to take control of your health.

Drink Less

If you’re reevaluating your relationship with alcohol, then you’re not alone. You just have to look at the recent boom of the “Nolo” drinks market, which is set to grow by 34% by 2024, to understand the country’s changing attitudes to drinking.

We all know that drinking alcohol isn’t good for us. Alcohol consumption can lead to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as certain types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, a weakening of the immune system and many more health issues besides. Even low-level drinking will increase your risk of developing many diseases. And if you’ve been thinking a little alcohol is good for your heart, then think again. As the NHS writes “The previously held position that some level of alcohol was good for the heart has been revised”.

Unfortunately we’re a nation that loves a drink. Indeed, for better or for worse, much of the socialising in Britain revolves around the pub and the pint. But rather than never seeing your friends again, there are ways you can enjoy a rich and full social life without the need for alcohol to play a central role. Let us direct you to our article on 5 tips for enjoying a full alcohol free social life.

Go To The Doctor

According to research we’re a nation of “Doctor Dodgers”. As the Independent reports “Two-thirds of Brits would put off going to the doctor – because they are scared they will receive bad news”.

Moreover, one person told the paper that because it’s “widely reported in the news how over-stretched our GPs and NHS,” they don’t want to bother doctors with their symptoms.

Indeed, it’s no secret that because of the Tories, our NHS is in crisis. However, doctors are urging people not to suffer in silence. Regardless of the current stories about wait times, if you’re one of those people who puts off going to the doctor, then now is the time to make a change, rather than continue to ignore any latent issues. 

Change your ways and visit the doctor’s when you need to instead of spending weeks googling your symptoms and self-diagnosing yourself with every disease under the sun. It’s important to recognise health issues and take the right steps towards getting treated. Colds and coughs will often go away by themselves, but more concerning issues, like lumps and perpetual headaches, could hint at something deeper.

Some, in such times of strain on the NHS, are choosing to book a private GP appointment online with a GMC-registered and NHS-trained doctor to assuage their concerns and put their minds at ease. Whether this helps ease the pressure on the NHS or further contributes to its privatisation is up for debate. If face-to-face visits are challenging, platforms like BetterHelp can provide mental health support online, offering convenience and accessibility.

Keep Up To Date With Screening and Tests

Routine health checkups are vital for continued good health and ensuring that you are in control of your wellbeing. However, not enough people follow through with them, and this means you could miss a problem that would be dealt with had you attended your yearly screening. 

Such tests include everything from formal hearing and eye tests to cancer screening for lumps and physicals for the guys. While they can be uncomfortable, especially if you’ve never done one before, they are vital for ensuring you remain in excellent health, and your doctor can highlight any potential issues. If nothing else, they can provide peace of mind that you’re in good health. 

Everyone needs a physical MOT at some point in their life, the chance to have a professional look under the hood and make sure your body is in full working order. And the rise of diagnostic laboratories offering this service online has made that professional look-over a little bit easier. 

Plan Your Meals

A tried, tested, and triumphant method of getting your health under control is to adjust your diet. Here at IDEAL, we’ve recently found ourselves increasingly eating out of boredom and stress. All that time spent in lockdown in the previous two years has taken its toll on our dietary habits, and we’re raiding our fridge for comfort food each time we hear some bad news. Which is often. 

To avoid this impulsive eating, nutritionists advise that you start planning out your meals and snacks in advance, weighed, measured and considered, so you don’t succumb to your stomach’s urges quite so consistently.

Moreover, as the Mayo Clinic points out “menu planning is a great way to make sure you’re eating a balanced diet and meeting your nutritional needs. And, as every frugal cook knows, menu planning can save you time and money”. The latter of which, we should add, is more important than ever given the current cost of living crisis.

Read: 7 IDEAL tips and ideas for budget meal planning

Take Care of Your Teeth

Do you remember that hard-hitting Corsodyl advert with the strapline ‘we wouldn’t ignore blood if it came from a tap’? Or, a similarly unnerving campaign showing a woman using mascara and ignoring bleeding from her eye, with the message ‘we wouldn’t ignore bleeding from any other part of the body, so we shouldn’t ignore spitting blood after brushing’? Yeah, that was an effective campaign. 

Good oral hygiene is really important and protecting your pearly whites through brushing and flossing will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Research has even shown that gum disease might be linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

It’s time to take control of our dental health; don’t put off booking an appointment if you’re suffering.

Don’t Forget Your Body & Head

We all know it’s important to look after your body and exercise. However, finding the motivation to workout and actually reach our fitness goals isn’t easy. Enter a personal trainer.

While, personal trainers aren’t cheap, but they are a sure-fire way to stay on track with your fitness goals. Stay fit on your own and you run the risk of getting lazy, of skipping leg day at the gym because you’re tired. Having a personal trainer waiting for you at the gym will, however, motivate you to, at the very least, show up.

As much as your body will signal when you aren’t treating it correctly, your head will do the same if you’ve been neglecting your mental health. In our always-connected world, it can be impossible to switch off from social media and work, with emails pinging through at unsociable hours causing a level of stress no one needs right now.

Such a culture means you’re never able to switch off, and this means you’re unable to refresh and recharge from the day, ready for the next one. This can have severe ramifications on your mental wellbeing.

Do endeavour to set aside some time for yourself each day, for self care and self love, screen free, whether that means taking a long bath, reading a book, meditating or simply taking a stroll. For that much needed peace of mind that we keep extolling the virtues of, such ‘me time’ is essential.

*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified mental health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*

5 Ideal Old School Games To Get Your Kids Off Their Screens

Editorial Team
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5 Ideal Old School Games To Get Your Kids Off Their Screens

Perfect for getting them to spend more time outside…

Has it come to this? An article, on a screen, which you’re reading while your kids play and probably vye for your attention, which encourages you to encourage your kids to get off their screens. That’s some breaking of the fourth wall stuff right there. You might want to see to that. People in glass houses…

But let’s focus. If you’re reading this then you’re probably of an era when children’s games were full of imagination, energy, activity, fun and friendship. And most importantly, done outside, in the fresh air and with abandon.

The Mirror recently reported that “The average child spends more than four-and-a-half hours per day on electrical devices – and just 40 minutes outside”. In other words “based on a 12-hour day, children are spending more than a third of their time looking at screens, and just 6% outside”.

Though their names and rules may vary from country to country, even town to town, most traditional children’s games needed little more than imagination and invention, passed on from child to child, from generation to generation, through word of mouth not Whatsapp or Snapchat. And there’s a real beauty in that. To keep the dream alive, and to get the little ones outside, here are 5 IDEAL old-school games to get your kids off their screens.

Hopscotch

Once upon a time, the sunset on a residential street was defined by a hopscotch court chalked on to the pavement and players ignoring their mother’s calls of ‘dinner time’. Players took turns to throw a marker, usually a small stone or bottle cap, into a series of numbered squares, then hopped and jumped up the court and back, collecting the marker on their return. The marker had to land cleanly in the chosen square and players who hopped onto a line, missed a square or fell over, had to go again. The first player to complete all the numbered boxes was the winner.

More recently, a new playground craze of ‘scooter hopscotch’ has emerged, which sees kids hop on the back wheel of their scooters along the court – to very mixed results, we should add!

A kid’s scooter, such as the Yvolve range, is essential here, as larger model’s aren’t nimble enough to manage the small spaces. If you’re kid is going to start performing tricks, be sure to kit them out with all the safety gear; helmet, elbow pads, wrist guards and knee pads.

Conkers

An autumn seasonal favourite for generations of children armed with the fruit of the horse chestnut tree, conkers had to be carefully drilled and threaded with a string or bootlace, before two wily combatants went head-to-head. While one holds out their conker dangling on its string at arm’s length, the other used theirs to strike. Some rules allowed for another go if the first missed or if strings got tangled, some were more rigid; one shot only, and if the target conker survives, the roles are reversed and the attacker becomes the target. And so it goes on until one of the conkers disintegrates.

Conkers which have claimed several opponents are known by the number they have vanquished, for example, a ‘sixer’. All kinds of myths did the playground rounds about how to create the ultimate unbeatable conker, most involving soaking in vinegar and baking in the oven. Some (us) were even known to insert stealth nails into their conker. Goggles at the ready, kids!

Clapping

There are countless variations of clapping games, found in cultures all around the world. Usually, they involve two players facing each other and completing a clapping sequence as an accompaniment to a sung rhyme. The memorised sequences, sometimes very complex, involve players clapping their own hands, slapping against the palms of their partners, slapping their thighs and many more crossover or high and low moves. Memory, coordination and teamwork are just three of the benefits here.

Blind Man’s Bluff

A game popular in the 1800s (ah, the good old days when life expectancy was under 40 and kids worked in factories) which still survives today. One player is blindfolded and spun around to disorientate them. This ‘Blind Man’ then walks around with their hands out in front of them until they bump into another player. If they manage to identify the other person from the feel of their face, hair and clothes, the blindfold is removed and someone else has a turn. If not, then the game carries on.

Kick The Can

All you need is an old tin can, perhaps with a few stones inside, to enjoy this one. A child is chosen to be ‘it’ and the rest run off and hide while ‘it’ covers their eyes and counts to a set number, often ending with a cry of “Ready or not, here I come!”. ‘It’ must then find and tag the hiding children who, once caught, are put in ‘jail’ –a predesignated holding area.

The constant risk is that a child might dash from their hiding place and, before they can be tagged, kick the can. This means one of the prisoners, or in some versions, all of them, are released to rejoin the game. Only when ‘it’ tags all the other players is the round over and another can begin. Lovely stuff. Take us back to those heady, carefree days, please.

DESIGN TIPS FOR DECORATING A HOUSEBOAT

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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DESIGN TIPS FOR DECORATING A HOUSEBOAT

When someone asks you to picture a ‘home’, nine times out of ten, a house or perhaps a flat will be called to mind. These buildings come in many different styles, from massive mansions to cosy cottages, but in general they do have a lot in common. They have front doors, windows, a kitchen, bathroom, living space and at least one bedroom – and they are all on land. 

Yet your home does not have to be on land if you prefer it not to be. Some people find that living in a houseboat is the ideal solution for them. Of course, living on the water won’t suit everyone, not least because your home is literally going to be moving around as you try to go about your daily business, but there are many benefits to enjoying a home like this, including the fact that it’s cheaper than a traditional house and you can move it where you want to, enjoying a luxury cruise like experience every day of the year!

If you have a houseboat, you’ll want to decorate it so that it feels more like home. With that in mind, here are some of the design ideas you can put in place. 

HAVE GOOD LIGHTING 

On deck, you generally won’t have to worry about lighting – you’re outside, after all, and the natural light should be enough. However, it can be very dark below deck on a houseboat; even if you do have windows, the way the boat is made means it can have low ceilings and not much light can get through. 

Therefore, you’ll need to add as much good lighting as you can. Use window blinds that completely retract to get as much sunlight in as you can, for example. Plus, you can add some lovely standing lamps downstairs – just make sure they are fixed to the floor, however, so they don’t get damaged (and you don’t get hurt).

For that extra nautical theme, you might want to invest in some marine lighting, and speaking of not getting hurt, some sturdy furniture is a must, too…

BUY STURDY FURNITURE 

As we’ve said, a houseboat is not going to be still or stationary all the time, and this is especially true in inclement weather. This means you have to choose any furniture you want very carefully, indeed. A lot of people actually tie their furniture down to prevent it from moving too much when the water is rough or when the boat is on the move, and this is something you’ll need to consider. 

The best way to ensure this works well for you is to choose sturdy furniture. Heavy furniture is less likely to be dislodged as the boat moves and less likely to be damaged if it does. Remember to also exercise caution when placing glass objects about the home as these could cause a lot of harm when they break. 

MAKE THE MOST OF THE VIEW 

When you live on a leisure boat, one of the things you’ll probably like best is the view. You can enjoy spectacular views from the cosy comfort of your houseboat, and so it makes sense for your design ideas to take this into account and maximise the potential of that view. 

To start with, make sure you put some comfortable – and attractive – seating on the deck of your houseboat so you can while away the hours outside if you choose to. Inside, check that your furniture is facing the windows, or at least could offer you a chance to enjoy the view if you want to. 

Bug Off! Common Summer Pests and What To Do About Them

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Bug Off! Common Summer Pests and What To Do About Them

Spare a thought for our Aussie cousins on the other side of the world. Whilst here in the UK, we start flapping our arms and exiting the picnic blanket the moment the whisper of a wasp is detected, al fresco dining down under has to compete with black widows, paralysis ticks, tiger snakes and the rest.

Suddenly, the threat of some fruit flies doesn’t really feel worthy of an article.

But just because your life isn’t in danger doesn’t mean that the insects and bugs found on these shores aren’t a nuisance. Indeed, as we all know, flies, wasps and other things with wings tend to make a beeline (ahem) for summer garden parties, causing annoyance and potentially ruining appetites.

However, this year – quite rightly – we’re being urged not to kill flies, wasps and other bugs that come into our homes. As Yorkshire Live reports, “this summer you’ll probably see fewer flies and wasps than ever coming inside to buzz around your head”. They go on to explain that “That’s because the UK’s flying insect population has declined by as much as 60% in the last 20 years”. 

Paul Hadaway, the director of conservation at Kent Wildlife Trust says via The Natural History Museum, “These declines are happening at an alarming rate and without concerted action to address them we face a stark future. Insects and pollinators are fundamental to the health of our environment and rural economies”.

It seems that we should be encouraging bugs to thrive. As such, it’s time to put down the rolled up newspaper, pick up the smartphone, and find some more humane ways to keep those bugs at bay.

However, if you want to stop them from invading your home, we don’t blame you. Here’s what to do about common summer pests.

Wasps 

While we’ve already warned against killing bugs for the good of humanity, here’s some more reasons to never swat a wasp; sure, it’s inhumane, but you might inflame the situation, too. 

According to Somerset Live, “A swatted wasp releases a chemical that is picked up by other wasps and they see it as a call to arms and come flying to the scene with stingers at the ready’’. 

Now that catastrophe has been averted, let’s talk about preventing them from arriving on the scene in the first place.  

Repelling wasps is a good first line of defence; prevention is better than cure, and all that. A tried and tested trick is to hang up crumpled brown paper bags, which gives the illusion of wasp nests and sends a message to other wasps that the territory is occupied. 

If you’re having a picnic and are keen for something a little more concrete, then covering food is the best way to deter wasps a – mesh food covers, which act like a tent, are ideal here.  

The Kent-based pest control company Pest Control 4U emphasises preventive measures against wasp infestations, especially in the summer. Regular property inspections to seal potential nesting sites and maintaining tightly sealed bins are recommended. They also suggest the use of wasp-repelling plants like thyme and spearmint in gardens. If a wasp nest is found, they strongly advise against disturbing it and recommend seeking professional help from their team for safe and effective removal.

Hornets 

Hornets are really just a different type of wasp, but one which seems to look and feel more menacing; even their name elicits fear in spheksophobes. Actually, hornets are generally considered to be less aggressive than wasps, if unprovoked. That said, their stings are more painful than typical wasp stings, due to the different chemicals found in hornet venom. 

Leaving them to it, then, seems to be the most obvious solution. But if their presence is causing a downer at your summer garden party, then the experts at Shield Pest Control recommend that, if ‘’they are present in sufficiently large numbers to be a nuisance’’, then there’s likely a nest present in your garden, at which point, it’s sensible to call in the professionals to remove it in an environmentally responsible way.

Flies

To deter flies from coming into your home, keep basil and mint on your windowsill. Why? They hate the smell of these herbs. You can pick up a pot of basil in Aldi for just 67p while Tesco charges £1.30 for a medium size basil or mint pot, as the Mirror reports.

If you don’t have the space for a row of pot plants on each and every windowsill, then you can stop flies entering your house using a simple bag of coins, too. Think that sounds like an expensive solution? Here’s the good news; 1p coins work just as well as larger denominations!

Read: Our IDEAL guide to maintaining a pest-free home

Fruit Flies

These little critters deserve a separate subtitle. Often seen hovering above a fruit bowl or drifting around the kitchen sink, come summer these teeny tiny pests seem to appear from nowhere. 

Put simply, fruit flies are attracted to exposed, ripened fruit that’s started fermenting; they just love that just-off, sweet-smelling scent!

If you want to be extra careful (and ruin that still life, fruit bowl aesthetic you’ve been cultivating), then the solution is simple; put your fresh produce in the fridge to keep fruit flies at bay.

Ants 

We’ve all experienced an ant-infestation at one picnic or another, and we all know just how fast a single interloper can turn into a mass invasion. 

A few simple, natural methods are at hand to repel ants from joining you at the picnic blanket or dinner table. Firstly, consider setting a decoy for the ants; leave some sugary food or drink in a spot away from where you’re eating, drawing the ants to it and away from you. 

Alternatively, you can create a barrier around your dining area using chalk or talcum powder; this is enough to confuse hungry, curious ants.

Finally, ants are repelled by acidic aromas (they have sweet fangs, after all); wipe down your dining area with vinegar or lemon juice to keep them away.

And in the spirit of environmentally responsible solutions, check out these 10 ways to make your garden wildlife friendly. We can’t wait to be invited to your bug-free picnic!

5 Fun Summer Math Activities for Kids

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5 Fun Summer Math Activities for Kids

Don’t we all love summer? Summer is usually the best time to whip out barbecue stands and picnic baskets. More importantly, it’s an excellent period for children to put their feet up and relax without worrying about school. But don’t flip your textbooks shut just yet.

While summer may be the best thing after sliced bread, it doesn’t mean that kids have to hang up their learning boots. Children can still learn math online and outdoors whilst having fun at the same time.

Wondering how to give your kids a summer blast and make them learn at the same time? You’re certainly on the right page. We’ve collated some of the best math activities for kids to try out this summer. Let’s get down to brass tacks! 

Ice Cream Counting

Who loves ice cream? Every kid does! Whether your kid is a toddler or a high schooler, they’ll definitely enjoy an ice cream cone now and then. Thus, it makes sense to turn their favorite dessert into a fun avenue for learning.

What you need: Brown construction paper (for the cones), colorful pom poms, and a pair of tongs.

How to play: With a pair of scissors, cut about 15 to 20 small triangles out of the brown construction paper to form pretend ice cream cones. Your kid can chip in for this part, but if they’re below the age of 10, you might want to get them a pair of child-friendly scissors. Next, write the numbers 1-20 on the cones and then place them into a plate or bowl. 

Once everything is ready, kids can build their own “ice cream” by adding corresponding pom poms to the cones. For instance, if a cone is labeled “4,” they can add up to four pom poms. This fun activity would help to build a child’s counting skills.

P.S: After each session, be sure to reward your kids with a real ice cream cone.

Flower Math Activities

Flowers attract beautiful things. Bees, butterflies, you name it. However, beyond the aesthetic appeal of these plants, they can also be used as an inspiration to boost learning and create a fun summer for kids.

What you need: White cardstock and colorful pens.

How to play: To start this activity, you need to whip out your inner Picasso. First, cut the cardstock into sizable rectangles. Using colorful pens, draw bold flowers on the left side of each rectangle, increasing the number of flowers as you go. For instance, you could draw one flower on the first rectangle, then two flowers on the next, and so on.

Once you’ve done this, laminate each rectangle, and you’re ready for takeoff. Have your kids count the flowers on each rectangle, write the accurate number, and spell out the number on the right side.

This activity would help children recognize numbers and boost their counting and writing skills at the same time.

Fun fact: While this is a great summer activity, it could also fit right into spring.

Counting Seashells

Heading to the beach this summer? It might be time to try out another fun counting activity with your kid. Heads up: this activity may involve a mini scavenger hunt for seashells. However, if you aren’t feeling up to it, you can always use playdough instead of actual seashells.

What you need: Seashells (or playdough), a plastic mat (or paper), and some colored pencils.

How to play: Write out a specific number on the plastic mat and use colored pencils to draw some artificial sand. If you’re using paper instead of a plastic mat, you’ll need to laminate it to enhance the durability. In the same vein, if you’re at the beach, you could just pour some sand onto the mat instead of drawing.

Next, ask your child to count seashells according to the number on the mat and then place them on the sand. Easy-peasy! This game teaches your kid how to count and improves their fine motor skills.

Outdoor Counting

Summer is all about going outdoors. From fun lemonade stands to family walks on the beach, outdoor activities never seem to end. So, why don’t you add this fun math activity to your bucket list?

What you need: Colored chalk, a large area of asphalt/concrete, and a few pebbles. 

How to play: Using colored chalk, draw a large grid of about 30 squares. Next, write 5’s on the top row, 4’s on the second row, and so on. Make sure you leave the last row empty as your players need to stand there. Next, have each kid stand in an empty square on the last row and throw their pebbles into each numbered box. If the pebble goes off the grid, they lose their turn. After throwing a pebble, each player can check the numbers where it landed and add them up. Once they’ve exhausted their pebbles, the player with the highest score wins the round.

This activity is a great one because it teaches kids the concept of numbers and counting while keeping them energetic at the same time.

Online Games

Sure, summer is all about going out. However, your kids’ summer doesn’t have to be outdoorsy all the time. If you’re trying to improve their relationship with math, you can still homeschool math online by getting them online games. Thanks to the internet, there are tons of fun online games that could teach kids essential math concepts all summer.

Alternatively, you could also hire a math tutor who knows how to engage students on a deeper level and make each math lesson a fun ride.

Final Thoughts

With tiny notes of summer in the air, it’s normal that you want your kids to have a blast without completely forgetting their studies. Fortunately, these great summer activities will certainly teach your children important math concepts and ensure that they still have a fun summer.

We hope you find the tips useful. Good luck!

8 Interesting, Innovative Ways To Improve Your Complexion

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8 Interesting, Innovative Ways To Improve Your Complexion

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, covering over 2 metres and weighing in at around 3.5 kg. But did you ever think about how your skin was also your body’s most honest organ?

Hear us out… Able to convey too many late nights, reveal just how stressed you’ve been, and announce to the world the quality of your sleep and diet, your complexion can say so much about you without uttering a word.

After the two years we’ve all had, it’s only natural to look in the mirror and notice a few more wrinkles or stress spots.

That doesn’t mean you should resign yourself to the sudden onset of more visible ageing, however. Instead, here are 8 interesting, innovative ways to improve your complexion.

A Clear Complexion Starts With Your Diet…

Put simply, eating the right foods can do wonders for your skin, but there are a few vitamins that are particularly beneficial for your complexion.

Vitamin A, especially, can promote better skin health from the inside out, via supplements, skincare products and, of course, your diet. While topical formulas may target acne directly, and cod liver oil supplements can boost your Vitamin A intake, too, it’s still most wholesome and healthy to seek the majority of this super nutrient from your diet; eggs, milk and cereal, in particular, are blessed with loads of the stuff, as are carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

Vitamin D, most commonly derived from your skin absorbing sunlight, can also do wonders for your complexion. Though it’s not found in vast abundance in your diet alone, there are fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, that contain it. Vitamin D also occurs naturally in oily fish, particularly salmon and tuna.

Vitamin C is another dietary element that can help your skin look its most youthful and radiant. As Healthline explains, ‘’Vitamin C is critical for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid has been touted for speeding up recovery time and relieving painful joints. Without adequate levels of vitamin C, your body will not gain the full benefit of foods containing hyaluronic acid.’’

Vitamin C can be found in high quantities in citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, blueberries and strawberries. 

…And Knowing What To Avoid

On the flip side, you’ll want to avoid the processed ones, too. Operating under a rather ironic title, AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) are formed when proteins or fats combine with sugar in the bloodstream. The formation of these AGEs are one of the key factors which contribute to accelerated ageing, and so foods which are high in them should be avoided.

Generally speaking, processed and fried foods are highest in these AGEs, with butter, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and some cooking oils particularly bad culprits. If you’re keen to prevent premature ageing, it’s first important to cut back on food high in AGEs. At least it’s easy to remember, hey?

Potentially Stimulate Collagen Production

Long story short, collagen is made up of essential amino acids, and is the glue that holds you together, as it binds tissues and cells, maintaining their integrity. It is the main structural and most abundant protein in your body, responsible for keeping everything in place. Whenever you consider how strong your joints or teeth are or how exceptional your skin elasticity is (what, you don’t do that?) you have collagen to thank for that.

Unfortunately, as we grow older, our bodies get worse at producing collagen, which leads to (among other things) hair loss, wrinkles, or joint pain. Additionally, a more modern version of consumption (toxins, pollution, stimulants, processed foods) also contributes to the detriment of collagen production. Finding ways to stimulate production of the good stuff, then, whether via food diet or technology, can help with your complexion as you age.

  • Via Diet

In terms of diet, you can include more collagen rich foods in your mealtimes. These include dairy, fish, eggs, lean meat, stock (sometimes referred to as ‘bone broth’), potatoes, broccoli, cereals, citrus fruits, nuts, shellfish, strawberries, and blackcurrants.

  • Via Treatments

There are also technological innovations emerging aimed at stimulating collagen production. For instance, the ingredients of Osmosis Skincare products may potentially activate collagen by supporting skin nutrition and health.

Another such innovation is Ellanse treatment, a non-surgical procedure that uses a collagen stimulator with the aim of improving your skin’s elasticity and firmness and giving you a more youthful appearance. 

LED light or red light therapy is another popular skincare treatment that uses different wavelengths of light to treat various skin concerns. It can improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and even acne. You can learn more about the pros and cons of this treatment at TherapeuticBeams.com.

If you’re looking for treatment in England, it’s recommended that you check the Care Quality Commission (CQC) database for clinics registered to perform this service. The efficacy of such treatments isn’t necessarily guaranteed, and is certainly no substitute for a balanced diet, plenty of quality sleep, and a dedicated exercise regime. 

Deploy A Humidifier

From taking care of your complexion from the inside to caring for it from the outside… Using a humidifier can do wonders for your skin, particularly if you live in a dry climate or are regularly exposed to an air-conditioned office. 

A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can help your skin absorb more of the stuff, in turn potentially reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help your skin look plumper and more hydrated.

Focus On Both The Quantity & Quality Of Your Sleep

Sleep is important for your overall health, and that includes your skin. When you don’t sleep enough, your body produces the stress hormone cortisol. It can destroy that previously praised collagen, as well as elastin, the protein that gives your skin its youthful appearance. So make sure to get at least seven hours of sleep every night to keep your skin looking its best.

Follow these tips to get quality sleep every night:

  • Don’t use your mobile before bed: The blue light from the screen can disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep.
  • Make sure your bedroom is dark: Use blackout curtains or an eye mask to block any light.
  • Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillow: Your bed should be a haven for rest, not a source of discomfort.

And for further sleep-friendly tips, check out these smart ways to make sleep more restful.

Consider Using A Homemade, All Natural Exfoliant

Chemical exfoliants have been growing in popularity in recent years, but the thought does seem a little off-putting at first. When you hear ‘chemical’, does your mind also automatically picture the green and blue fizzing liquids that you’d mess around with back in your chemistry class? Imagine putting that on your face.

In fact, these chemical exfoliants essentially sit on your skin and gently remove the dead skin cells without you having to scrub at your skin. Look out for exfoliants with AHA’s and BHA’s (alpha and beta hydroxy acids) that are the most popular and effective forms of chemical exfoliants. Just be careful not to use exfoliators – start off slowly and build up your skin’s tolerance to exfoliate up to 2-3 times a week.

If you’d like a true-natural exfoliant, rest assured; you can make one at home. Ingredients you’ll have around the house that are popular to use include caster sugar, ground coffee, ground cinnamon, finely ground salt, and baking soda. Check out our tips on natural remedies for glowing skin for more advice on the subject.

Apply Sunscreen With A Religious Dedication

One of the most effective ways to protect your skin is sunscreen. It can help prevent sun damage, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and brown spots. It can also help prevent skin cancer.

Relaxing under the summer sun might be your idea of heaven, but too much exposure to harmful UV rays can damage your skin. Sometimes, it pays to remember that while a sun-kissed tan is fleeting, skin damage is permanent. 

If you want to avoid the premature onset of deep-set wrinkles, leathery skin and sagging, it’s essential you avoid soaking up the sun for long, undisturbed stretches when outdoors. What’s more, you should always wear a minimum SPF 30 sun protection to shield your skin from harmful rays. This even applies to time spent outdoors in winter, which can still be damaging to your skin, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Purified Water

Some also choose to use purified water in their beauty regimes, which may lead to a brighter, perkier complexion. If you’re wondering whether you, too, should use purified water in your beauty regime, then we’ve explored that question here. Do check it out.

The Bottom Line

Taking care of your skin is important to maintain a youthful appearance. Follow the tips above to keep your skin looking its best. And if you’re ever in doubt, consult a dermatologist for advice.

Do Away With Tradition: 6 Ideas That Will Spruce Up A Conventional Wedding Day

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Do Away With Tradition: 6 Ideas That Will Spruce Up A Conventional Wedding Day

Your wedding can be a wonderful affair where you and your favourite people gather together, have fun and celebrate the magic that is love and a slightly better tax situation. 

It can also be a day of stress and headaches where nothing goes quite right; Aunt Linda gets drunk and gives too much affection to your spouse’s cousin, the best man’s speech mentions that chaotic stag-do and ends up offending everyone, and someone chokes on an overly sticky toffee pudding.

Much of this stress seems to emanate from the sacred traditions that hang over an event and the (sometimes) stuffiness with which they’re observed. The solution? Do things your way! Here are 6 ideas that will spruce up a conventional wedding way.

Change Up Traditional Roles

In traditional weddings, there are roles played by people of certain ages or genders, and choosing the right people for the right roles can be fraught with stress and pressure. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. Every family and friendship group is a slightly different size or shape, and that’s okay, so if you feel like it, do away with traditional roles; have the best woman or a man-of-honour if the bride or groom’s best friend happens to be of the opposite sex. 

Allow for groomswomen, have the bride walked down the aisle by their bestie, have your grandmother be a flower girl and your dog serve as the ringbearer or get the maid-of-honours to do the speeches.

Put the people you’re closest with in the roles that matter; there are no rules against doing this. And even if there were? It’s your wedding!

Accept that your squad doesn’t match the 1900s postcard of what a social group should be and share your day with the people you love, whatever their gender or age.

Set The Tone With An Alternative Dress Code

Whilst it’s certainly fun to get dressed up once in a while, the usual cocktail dresses and lounge suits, or black tie dress code, isn’t the only way for everyone to look stylish and sophisticated on your wedding day.

Set the tone with an alternative wedding dress; we love the idea of a wedding jumpsuit, embroidered outfit, or even a red wedding dress… The choice is yours!

In fact, as Today reports, you can get seriously creative with your dress code. A few examples of ‘’quirky wedding dress codes’’ they give include:

  • Bohemian black tie
  • Farmhouse chic
  • California casual
  • Fancy ranch
  • Brooklyn formal
  • Or, simply, ‘fabulous’

Of course, making sure the wedding party is comfortable is the most important part of any dress code, so don’t ask for people to turn up in shorts for a winter wedding, or wear crushed velvet for a beach event!

Write Your Own Vows

Taking the time to craft your own wedding vows can help make the occasion extremely personal. No relationship is the same, and this means the depth and implications of your promise to keep choosing each other again and again as the years pass and your personalities change won’t be the same either. 

Do a little research on writing vows, sure, but then start from the heart. Any writer will tell you that the first draft of anything isn’t great. Write all your feelings down in a stream-of-consciousness sort of way, and then start organising what you’ve written into different categories. 

Rewrite the vows and then put them away for a week. Revisit the vows and rewrite them again. Giving yourself space between each revision will allow you to detach from the writing enough to know what to cut. Then read the vows out loud, and tweak words that feel odd when spoken. This will help you get the voice right; you want the words to sound like you.

Read: Contemporary ideas to add wow to your wedding vows

Cut Out Anything That Doesn’t Bring You Joy

Traditional weddings are filled with a whole list of activities and elements, boxes to be ticked and customs to be observed. 

There’s nothing stopping you removing anything from your Big Day that you don’t love. If you don’t like making speeches, don’t. If you hate the idea of your new husband removing your garter with his teeth, don’t do that. If the idea of the first dance in front of everyone you know makes you break out in a cold sweat, skip that too. This is your wedding. You don’t have to do things the way other people do them.

Likewise, feel free to add things that you do love. Incorporating elements of your personal romance into the event can add magic to the day. Let’s say you two met during a board game night at a friend’s place? Maybe you might want to include board games in your wedding day as this is where you fell in love.

Of course, there are a few traditional wedding elements that are worth spending your budget on, but even those are open to interpretation.

Choose A Location That Is Special To You

Maybe you and your partner have a favourite hiking trail? Perhaps your happiest memories as a couple are on your grandparents’ farm? Or, did you share your first date in a popular local restaurant? 

Why not choose a wedding venue that is special to you as a couple for the site of your celebration? It’s a lot easier to organise a wedding at an unusual location than you’d think. As a bonus, it’s often free to get married at a public location. Of course, you need to be prepared for people who are using the space to wander by and stop to watch for a moment, but that’s all part of the fun, don’t you think?

Eschew Traditional Wedding Rings

You can even opt to eschew traditional wedding rings in favour or something more alternative and interesting. Rather than keep you (we realise you’ve got lots of wedding planning to do), why not check out our guide to some alternatives to traditional wedding rings. You won’t regret it (well, maybe you will)!

The Bottom Line

By doing away with the customs and traditions you’re not fond of, you can spruce up a conventional wedding day into something truly unique and spectacular. Remember, this day is about celebrating you and your partner’s love, and that’s the most important thing!

The Best Things To Do In Leeds On A Girl’s Weekend, Whatever Your Tastes!

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The Best Things To Do In Leeds On A Girl’s Weekend, Whatever Your Tastes!

Planning a weekend away with the girls but unsure where to go or how to get there? While there are plenty of lively, happening cities to choose from in the UK, if you’re after entertainment, nightlife and culture by the bucketload, then have you considered Leeds?

If you’re hopping on a train to Leeds, then you’ll be pleased to hear that the city is served by the majority of the UK’s major train stations, and offers something fresh and exciting for punters seeking a city break with a difference.

Because you’re only visiting the city for a short time, you’re going to want to prepare your itinerary with precision. We’re here to help with that; here are the best things to do in Leeds on a girl’s weekend, whatever your tastes.

For The Drinkers

If you and your girls like a cheeky tipple (mocktail fans are welcome, too, of course), then you’re in luck. With tonnes of cocktail bars, boozy brunches and nightclubs, Leeds is the perfect place for a weekend away that intends to savour the nightlife of the city. 

First, head to the Northern Quarter, where there are plenty of pubs and bars; our favourite here is Belgrave Music Hall’s rooftop bar, complete with sunset views and carefully composed booze. Or, if the gang prefer a more traditional English pub, then The Reliance, just a five minute walk away, is traditional yet elegant, with a superb wine list and local ales. There’s also a Michelin-recognised restaurant out back.

If you’re wanting something a little more energetic, try Roxy Ball Room and Roxy Arcade, where you’ll find beer pong, retro video games and karaoke booths. 

Or, for properly inventive cocktails in a sophisticated setting, you’re spoilt for choice in Leeds. Our favourite Leeds cocktail bars include Jake’s Bar & Still room, which is something of an institution and has its own distillery creating the bar’s signature spirits. No wonder Jake’s was recently named the 24th best bar in the UK. Wow.

You might also love Below Stairs on South Parade, which promises ‘cocktails that tell stories’ and more than delivers on that pledge.

For The Foodies

As the foodie capital of the North (we’re not actually sure who decided that title), Leeds has got plenty to interest the gourmands in the group.

If you’re feeling adventurous, then The Man Behind the Curtain is a Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Michael O’Hare serving up an incredible tasting menu full of surprising – and often challenging – flavour combinations that will have the whole gang cooing (or at least, talking). How does ‘scallop, tiger’s milk and plankton focaccia’ sound? Or, a dessert titled ‘Sex Wax’ which pairs pineapple with coconut and oyster? Trust us; it’s amazing!

If that isn’t your style, Leeds has also great street food options, with Kirkgate Market housing a range of street food stalls and cafes, including an ‘Asian’ bakery, Yorkshire pudding wraps and fresh fish and chips. Alternatively, Trinity Kitchen, just a five minute walk from the main train station, hosts six regularly rotating street food vans and plenty of good vibes.

For street food with a little more focus, we love Bundobust, a casual craft beer bar and Indian street food operation that’s 100% vegetarian. The Bhel Puri is superb.

To take an even deeper dive (or bigger bite of) the city’s food scene, rest assured that food and drink tours are aplenty in Leeds, with ‘Local Leeds’ tours offering guided tours of independent eateries in the city centre that are focused on using local produce.

For The Dancers

Phew, full of food and cocktails, you might be looking for somewhere to cut some rug. Unsurprisingly for a city of its size and reputation, Leeds is blessed with some lively dance floors.

Why not end the night at one of the many clubs in the city? From Popworld and Pryzm to Viaduct Showbar (where you might even catch a cabaret show and meet some of the resident drag queens), Leeds has nightlife to suit every taste and disposition.

Or, if you’re keen to keep going ‘till truly late, the Warehouse Club, once a gig venue that hosted the likes of Oasis and The Stone Roses but is now famed for its retro nights, stays open until 6am. 

For The Explorers

If being outdoors is more your thing, then Leeds has got you covered for that, too! Many group walking tours are available in Leeds if you’re wanting to explore the history and heritage of the beautiful city. The ‘Leeds City Centre Walking Tour’ does exactly what it says on the tin, whilst the ‘Leeds Hidden Gems’ provides a treasure hunt experience and represents a wonderful way to unearth places in the city you might otherwise overlook.

A little further afield are the Yorkshire Dales, served by the lovely town of Ilkley, where you can take part in a day tour, exploring some of the magnificent views of the countryside. Or, if you want to stay a little more local, simply go for a stroll around Roundhay Park.

For The Film Buffs

The Hyde Park Picture House is the self proclaimed ‘home of independent cinema in Leeds’ and a wonderful place to watch a film. Housed on Brudenell Road, this Grade II listed building recently received backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund, meaning this gorgeous space now has funding to keep it looking as beautiful as ever.

Built by revered local architects Thomas Winn & Sons in 1914, HPPH is the only gaslit cinema remaining in the UK, and offers a diverse program of both big international releases and more niche arthouse offerings. With £2.3 million from the National Lottery going into a new, second screen and improved accessibility, we can’t wait to see what this fantastic independent cinema does next.

For The Shopaholics

Already regarded in Yorkshire as a retail paradise, the bustling city of Leeds recently added another attraction to its existing appeal with the full refurbishment of Grade I-listed Kirkgate Market, famous for being the birthplace of Marks & Spencer. 

As one of the largest indoor markets in Europe, visitors can find everything from a diverse range of fresh food and drink to fashion, jewellery, flowers, hardware and haberdashery. Having undergone a major multi-million pound revamp, the building can host changing events and seasonal markets set within the stunning architecture and traditional market layout of the Victorian and Edwardian halls. 

Opened in October 2016, Victoria Gate is another exciting addition to the city’s vibrant shopping scene. Designed as a modern take on the Victorian arcades for which Leeds is renowned, the new retail and leisure space will house the largest John Lewis department store outside London. No wonder the Victorian Quarter has earned the nickname of being ‘the Knightsbridge of the North’.

The Bottom Line

Leeds is full of great options, no matter what kind of girls’ trip you’re planning. So what are you waiting for? Get the girls together and start planning your perfect weekend away in Leeds!

The Sustainable Shopper: What Can Greengrocers, Cornershops & Supermarkets Do To Reduce Their Energy Use?

Editorial Team
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The Sustainable Shopper: What Can Greengrocers, Cornershops & Supermarkets Do To Reduce Their Energy Use?

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often overlook the environmental impact of our routine activities. One such activity is our regular visit to the local greengrocer, cornershop, or supermarket. These establishments, while essential to our daily lives, are significant contributors to high energy consumption and, consequently, climate change. By understanding the approach that local shops and larger corporations take to sustainable practices, consumers can make more informed choices about where they’re spending their money. 

The Energy Consumption Conundrum

Supermarkets, greengrocers, and cornershops rely heavily on energy-intensive systems such as commercial refrigeration, lighting, and heating. These systems are crucial for preserving food and providing a comfortable shopping environment. 

However, they consume vast amounts of electricity and gas, often sourced from non-renewable resources like natural gas and coal. This high energy consumption not only strains our national electrical grid but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

So, what can these establishments do to reduce their energy use and environmental impact? Here are a handful of actionable strategies you should be looking out for.

Embrace Energy-Efficient Technologies

The first step towards reducing energy consumption is to upgrade to energy-efficient technologies. For instance, replacing traditional lighting systems with LED technology can significantly reduce energy usage. LEDs not only consume less energy but also have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Similarly, installing occupancy sensors and smart lighting control systems can help manage energy use more effectively. These systems adjust the intensity and duration of lighting based on customer activity, ensuring no unnecessary energy consumption.

Switch To Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, biomass, and hydropower offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. By switching to these sources, establishments can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, renewable energy can also lead to cost savings in the long run, benefiting the business’s bottom line.

A potential solution is to compare supermarket energy providers who offer renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar power or wind power. 

Invest In Energy Management Systems

Energy management systems allow businesses to monitor and regulate their energy consumption in real-time. These systems can adapt lighting and HVAC settings based on occupancy levels and time of day, reducing wasted energy. By identifying and resolving energy inefficiencies, these systems can result in substantial cost savings.

Combat Food Waste

Food waste is another significant contributor to energy consumption within the food supply chain. By implementing efficient inventory management techniques, establishments can prevent food spoilage and reduce food waste. Donating excess food to charities, educating shoppers on proper food storage, and maintaining refrigeration equipment can all help in this regard.

Raise Consumer Awareness

Businesses can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices among consumers. Encouraging the use of reusable bags, promoting locally sourced products, and providing educational resources can all help foster a more environmentally conscious mindset among shoppers.

Retrofitting Existing Equipment

Retrofitting existing equipment with more energy-efficient models is another effective way for supermarkets to reduce energy consumption. For instance, old refrigeration units can be retrofitted with advanced insulation and energy-saving compressors. This not only reduces energy usage but also extends the lifespan of the equipment, leading to cost savings in the long run.

Regular Maintenance & Energy Audits

Regular maintenance of equipment can prevent energy wastage due to inefficiencies. For example, ensuring that commercial refrigeration units are well-insulated and free from leaks can significantly reduce energy consumption. Additionally, conducting regular energy audits can help identify areas of energy wastage and provide insights into how energy consumption can be further reduced.

Implement Green Building Practices

Green building practices, such as using energy-efficient building materials and incorporating natural light into the store design, can significantly reduce energy consumption. For instance, using skylights or large windows can reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. Similarly, using insulation materials in the building design can reduce the need for heating and cooling, leading to significant energy savings.

The Path To Sustainability

Reducing energy use in greengrocers, cornershops, and supermarkets is not just about protecting the environment. It’s also about improving operational efficiency and financial sustainability. By embracing energy-efficient technologies, switching to renewable energy, and promoting sustainable practices, these establishments can make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

So, How Can Consumers Check How Sustainable & Energy Efficient Their Local Shops Are?

When it comes to identifying sustainable and energy-efficient supermarkets in the UK, there are several resources and certifications to consider. Here are some ways to find out:

  • Carbon Trust Certification: The Carbon Trust is an independent, expert partner of leading organisations around the world, helping them contribute to and benefit from a more sustainable future. They provide certifications to businesses that are reducing their carbon emissions. You can check their website for a list of certified organisations: Carbon Trust
  • Energy Saving Trust: This is a UK-based organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the sustainable use of energy. They provide endorsements for energy-efficient businesses. Check their website for more information: Energy Saving Trust
  • BREEAM Certification: BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. They provide certifications for businesses that are sustainable in their operations. You can check their website for a list of certified organisations: BREEAM
  • Greenpeace’s Plastic Scorecard: Greenpeace UK ranks supermarkets based on their use of single-use plastics. While this doesn’t directly relate to energy efficiency, it’s a good indicator of a supermarket’s overall commitment to sustainability. Check their latest scorecard here: Greenpeace Plastic Scorecard
  • Company Websites: Many supermarkets publish their sustainability initiatives on their websites. For example, Sainsbury’s has a dedicated section on their website where they detail their sustainability efforts: Sainsbury’s Sustainability
  • Ethical Consumer: Ethical Consumer provides a detailed breakdown of the ethical and environmental record of various supermarkets. They rate each supermarket in several categories, including environmental reporting, palm oil policy, and climate change. Check their supermarket guide here: Ethical Consumer Supermarket Guide

Remember, while these resources can provide a good starting point, it’s also important to do your own research and make informed decisions based on a variety of factors.

The Bottom Line

Remember, every small step towards sustainability counts. So, the next time you visit your local supermarket, don’t forget to bring your reusable bag and choose locally sourced products. Together, we can make a difference.

5 Great Ways To Incorporate The Superfood Ginger Into Your Daily Dishes

Editorial Team
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5 Great Ways To Incorporate The Superfood Ginger Into Your Daily Dishes

There really is nothing like ginger. Its distinctive pungency and zest brings a perfect, nutritious enrichment to many dishes, adding piquancy, verve and distinctiveness to your dinnertime. It’s also a remarkably affordable ingredient, with the average price of its recognised unit, ‘a thumb-sized piece’, rarely topping a £1, and with a little very much going a long way. 

It’s also hugely versatile, making appearances in both savoury and sweet dishes, and feeling incredibly comfortable in both. So, if you are interested in learning how to incorporate this miraculous spice into your mealtimes, it turns out that there are many options to be shared and savoured. 

The 5 Best Ways To Incorporate Ginger Into Your Daily Dishes

Thought to have originated from Southeast Asia, ginger has a proud history as an ancient food flavouring as well as a folk medicine. Indeed, ginger is beyond a food enhancer since it offers more than just flavour and aroma to your meals; it also brings a whole host of health benefits that have led to ginger being called a ‘superfood’.

Whether you’re in this thing for flavour, health or a little of both, let’s dive into some of the most common ways to cook with ginger. Here are just 5 of them.

In Stir-Fries

Adding ginger to your regular stir-fry is undoubtedly one of the most effortless ways to incorporate it into your daily diet. This is because the spice gets along well with most types of meat and vegetables, such as sweet peppers, broccoli, courgette, mushrooms, carrots, peas, asparagus, kale, and spinach. 

No matter if you are vegan, vegetarian, a pescatarian or a carnivore, ginger adds the right amount of zest and kick to a wide variety of stir-fry dishes.

You could make a Thai ginger and chicken stir fry, a seasonal vegetable stir fry with whatever is particularly good at this time of year, or even China’s Sichuan province’s famous fish fragrant aubergines (which doesn’t contain any fish, but plenty of ginger!).

You may also want to add some pounded ginger to your egg-fried rice recipes, adding pungency and kick to an already delicious wokful.

Moreover, some studies suggest that ginger contains properties that could lower conditions like cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, incorporating this spice regularly into your stir-fries will give you added advantages beyond the incredible taste it adds.

As An Ingredient In Pie Fillings

If your family loves pies (hey, whose doesn’t?), incorporating ginger into their filling is a great way to add the superfood to your daily diet. The best thing about this spice is that it complements both savoury and sweet dishes perfectly, and with pies falling under both categories, too, it really feels like they were made for each other!

Fresh ginger, ginger powder or candied ginger all go well with pies. Apples, mixed berries, peaches, pears, cherries, and lemon are fruits that get along best with ginger if you prefer your pies sweet. Moreover, when combined with garlic, this spice brings a richness and succulency to many savoury minced-meat pies made with beef, pork, chicken, and the rest. In fact, research indicates that the delicious combination of garlic and ginger provides many health benefits, too.

In brief, if you are someone who often suffers from an upset stomach or digestive issues, make it a habit to use a ginger-garlic paste when making a savoury pie filling (especially with meat). Consequently, the antibacterial and antimicrobial effects of ginger and garlic will essentially help to alleviate these conditions.

To Add Flavour To Meat And Fish Marinades

Ginger is one of the most versatile spices and pairs brilliantly with most types of meat and fish. Thus, freshly grated or minced ginger can easily be a tasty, nutritious addition to your fish or meat marinades.

What’s more, the presence of an enzyme called zingibain in ginger acts to tenderise meats, meaning that, when used with caution, ginger can be a vital marinade ingredient for textural reasons as well as ones of taste.

As mentioned previously, you can incorporate ginger with garlic in a simple marinade preparation. The unique tang of this spice complements the common ingredients in marinades like soy sauce, vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, cooking wine, sesame oil, and Worcestershire sauce.

Not only in marinades, powdered ginger even gives its best in most dry or wet rubs. Let us enlighten you with a little tip: try to use freshly grated ginger with minced garlic when making marinades. And, when it comes to dry or wet rubs, use powdered ginger with other complementary spices like garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and ground cumin.

Fresh ginger will help infuse its flavour better along with the wet/liquid ingredients in marinades. At the same time, powdered ginger will disperse its essence well in rubs, when blended with other dry aromatics.  

By Teen00000 from Getty Images via Canva

In Dessert

Dessert making is a real art, where experimentation usually results in failure and precision is rewarded. The good news, however, is that experimenting with ginger can make your sweet treats taste even better.

Apart from the most popular sweet treats made out of this spice, such as gingerbread, ginger snaps, and Jamaican ginger cake, there are many other ways you can incorporate both fresh and powdered ginger into your desserts.

Why not try adding ginger to your homemade chocolate truffles, or a little to a mango and passion fruit gelato? A touch of ginger in the buttery biscuit base of a white chocolate cheesecake is also fantastic, and as any Brit will know, ginger is incredible in a rhubarb crumble. Our mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves are other supportive spices that will go really well with ginger in desserts. On the bright side, since this spice contains blood sugar-lowering properties, it is a healthy complement to many sweet delights!

By Blending Into Soups

We all know that nourishing feeling that only a piping hot bowl of soup can bring. Well, adding ginger to your soups only enhances that comforting sensation!

Carrot and ginger soup is one of the most delicious, easiest, and healthiest soup recipes out there. Here, we think freshly grated ginger works particularly well, and provides the perfect anchor to some of the other fresh, sweet-ish flavours in this recipe.

A few of our other favourite ginger-infused soup recipes include:

The Bottom Line

Of course, there are many more ways to use ginger in your cooking. We just love to add a few julienned pieces of ginger to a steamed fish recipe, or make a curry paste using ginger, garlic and onions. Its uses are countless and its health benefits varied… What’s not to love?

How You Can Learn To Communicate Better With A Loved One With Alzheimer’s

Editorial Team
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How You Can Learn To Communicate Better With A Loved One With Alzheimer’s

Watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimer’s or any other kind of dementia can be a deeply affecting experience for all those affected. Seeing someone that you’ve known for so long slowly becoming someone else is not only tough, but it can also be taxing for those who take care of them. Add on top of that the feeling of guilt associated with feeling ‘taxed’, and having a loved one go through Alzheimer’s is one of life’s most profoundly difficult experiences.

Fortunately, there are certain methods that you and others can use to get through these tough times together. One of the toughest aspects of this experience is, of course, communicating, but by learning how to connect and communicate with your loved one in new ways, you may make life a bit simpler for everyone. 

With that in mind, here’s some advice on how you can learn to communicate better with a loved one with Alzheimer’s. 

Accept Both That Your Loved One Has Changed, But That They Are Still The Same Person

The first and most crucial thing you can do is to accept the somewhat conflicting but comforting idea that whilst the person you previously knew will never come back, they are still the same person inside. 

That said, the early signs of the disease may be fairly innocuous, but cannot be reversed. As Dementech tell us, ‘’Alzheimer’s symptoms will begin relatively mild, and barely noticeable. However, as more brain cells are damaged over time, signs will become moderate and will soon begin to have an impact on the person’s day to day life.’’

Once you accept that this is your new reality, then everything else will become a lot simpler. Rather than wasting your time and energy battling the truth, you may focus on your loved ones to make their lives more pleasant as soon as the signs are recognised and confirmed as Alzheimer’s. This can help you retain a positive mindset that can help you get through challenging days.

This can also help you better communicate with your loved one. You will know that this is your ‘new normal’ and it will help you to be more patient and flexible when it comes to interacting with your loved one; patience and accommodation are, after all, two of the most crucial virtues required when dealing with dementia.

Get Professional Support

Sometimes, dementia just develops too far, or too swiftly, for you to cope without feeling overwhelmed. If this is the case, then it’s ideal for both you and your loved one that you’re not too proud to seek a lending hand.

This doesn’t mean that you need to place them in a care home. Sometimes, you might get part-time help so you can continue working and then take care of your loved one on the weekends.

There are assistance programmes, respite homes and grants that can help you to cope with everything from your finances to your own mental health. No one will judge you for asking for help; caring is an impossibly hard job, after all. 

Firstly, you should have a needs or carer’s assessment done by your local council or social services department, which may well conclude that you’re eligible for a carer’s allowance.

You can read more about the care and support available for people with dementia on the NHS here.

Keys To Communication

There are a few crucial elements that you should constantly keep in mind while trying to connect with someone who suffers from dementia.

First, always try to stay cool. They may already be nervous and bewildered, but shouting at your loved one will just make the situation worse. Instead, always speak clearly and gently, with an easy tone that communicates patience. Avoid ‘baby talk’ though, since this can be condescending and cause understandable annoyance in your loved one.

Try to talk about only one item at a time. Hopping around from subject to subject may be quite confusing, so take your time, talk properly, and allow each subject to run its course before introducing a new one.

Take Care Of Yourself, Too

There are plenty of in-person and online support groups for carers and family members learning the ropes of care. Joining one of these can offer relief, and it’s essential for both you and your loved one living with Alzheimer’s that you’re looking after yourself, too. 

Even if you lurk on the fringes of a social media group, realising that others have the same doubts and fears as yourself can make you feel better about your own supposed shortcomings. Check out the Carers UK Forum, which is part of the UK’s only national member charity for carers, in particular. 

As well as this, other members of the group could have valuable advice and tips for you on how to cope, who to reach out to and more. A friendly voice can make the difference between a terrible day and a good one, so don’t be afraid to see what’s out there.

Carers UK also host weekly online ‘Care for a Cuppa’ meetups for all caregivers in the UK, as well as a Listening Support Service for those needing more formal advice from professionals within the care world.

You should also check out the Carers Trust, who provide online support for carers, enabling them to access help, advice and breaks from caring. And finally, the NHS has a dedicated Social Care and Support Guide with lots of information on the support carers are entitled to.

The Bottom Line

Dealing with dementia is stressful, but there are tools available to help you overcome the barriers to communication. And while you’re with us, we’ve written a little more about caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Do check it out sometime! 

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