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MATCHA GREEN TEA: 5 IDEAL REASONS YOU NEED TO START DRINKING IT

Rachel Stevenson
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MATCHA GREEN TEA: 5 IDEAL REASONS YOU NEED TO START DRINKING IT

Everyone knows to eat their greens, but there’s another lesser known green out there that is higher in antioxidants than superfoods such as spinach and blueberries…and you can have it in a cup of tea! Matcha is made from a special type of powdered green tea and just one cup of matcha tea has 100 times the antioxidants compared to green tea. Pukka Herbs gives us the lowdown on why is matcha so good for you and what is it good for?

Boost Your Skin’s Natural Beauty

Plants are naturally brimming with compounds that protect us from those nasty ‘free radicals’ that are known for ageing our skin. Green tea and the super-concentrated form of green tea, matcha, are known for fighting back the damage caused by free radicals.

Calm From The Inside Out

When we are stressed we produce more cortisol, which gives us inflamed, irritated and sensitive skin. Matcha is grown in the shade, making it produce L-Theanine which works nicely with the low levels of caffeine in green tea, creating alertness as well as a deep sense of calm (unlike other caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and black tea).

Drink Green, Get Lean

Matcha helps to burn body fat by a process called thermogenesis, so much so that you can burn fat four times faster than your usual metabolism.

Feel-Good Factor

L-Theanine is a protective compound found in matcha and is five times higher in matcha than it is in green tea alone. L-Theanine increases serotonin and dopamine – giving you the feel-good factor and bringing you clarity.

Antioxidant Fix

One cup of organic matcha tea has 100 times the antioxidants compared with green tea and gram for gram 100 times more than spinach. One cup of match tea has the same level of antioxidants as two cups of blueberries (and is a lot cheaper, bonus!).

Matcha Latte
Mathca Lattee

Top Matcha Tea Tips

Go for organic – if your matcha green tea isn’t organic, it is essentially cancelling out all of the good of matcha, through contamination with pesticides and herbicides…so go organic!

You can never have too much – The best time to drink your matcha tea is before a large meal but evidence has also shown that drinking matcha throughout the day will help to maintain a level of beneficial compounds in the blood stream.

5 IDEAL WAYS TO AVOID AND TREAT DRY EYES DURING A LONG FLIGHT

Rachel Stevenson
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5 IDEAL WAYS TO AVOID AND TREAT DRY EYES DURING A LONG FLIGHT

Are you a flight attendant or do you fly frequently? Do you often have dry and puffy red eyes? Well you may be suffering from dry eyes –  a reasonably common condition which can be brought on by environmental factors such as air conditioning and prolonged use of computer screens, tablets, smart phones.

According to research dry eyes is a common problem for flight attendants and passengers alike – especially for those who wear contacts. Humidity in airline carriers can run as low as 3% during flights and this dry environment and the pressure controlled cabin air can take its toll on your eyes.

A case study by Pharma Nord, explored this issue with ex-flight attendant Fiona Cameron, who worked as cabin crew for British Airways for 21 years. She would experience red, sore eyes first thing in the morning and they would often be streaming during the day. With their help, we’ve put together 5 top tips on how to treat  and avoid dry eyes during a long haul flight.

STAY HYDRATED

Dehydration often makes dry eye symptoms worse. Make sure you drink before, during and after a flight. If you’re like us and enjoy drinking those little bottles of wine you get on airplanes, be sure to drink extra water to rehydrate yourself.  Don’t be scared to go up and ask the cabin crew for extra water if you’re thirsty – they always have plenty of bottles in the back.

USE OMEGA 7 SBA24

Fiona swears by Omega 7 SBA24. She tried eye drops and sprays for months to no avail. Then she tried the natural supplement called Omega 7 SBA24 which worked wonders.  To get technical, the essential fatty acids/ nutrients  in Omega 7 SBA24 work systemically from the inside to help prevent the eyes from drying out.

Eye Drops

For quick relief, eye drops are great as they lubricate the eye. No one product works for everyone, so you may have to try a few before you find the right one for you. Artificial tears are available in most pharmacies, but it’s always best to consult your doctor before you put anything in your eye.

WEAR AN EYE MASK

Eye masks can help by acting as a barrier between your eyes and the environment on the plane, helping to protect your eyes.  They also help block out the light if you’re trying to sleep!

WEAR GLASSES

Contact lenses are dry eyes’ worst enemy. If you wear contact lenses, switch to a pair of glasses for the duration of the flight. This will help to avoid additional dryness that often comes hand-in-hand with contact lens use.

SAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP: 5 IDEAL WAYS TO STOP SNORING

Rachel Stevenson
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SAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP: 5 IDEAL WAYS TO STOP SNORING

Are you kept awake by your partners nocturnal noises? The effects of snoring can be disastrous for a relationship. According to research by Chemist Direct, severe snoring is an increasing issue for modern day relationships in the UK, causing resentment and arguments. Who wouldn’t get irritable and annoyed if they were kept up all night by the wheezing, rumbling or whilstling sounds of snoring? So instead of blocking your ears, sleeping on the sofa or shouting  ‘wake up you’re snoring’ at your partner, show them these ideal tips on how to stop snoring.

Sleep on your back

Sleeping on your back can squash your nasal airways which causes snoring. Try to sleep on your side rather than your back. If you really can’t sleep on your side, prop yourself up with some extra pillows, rather than lying flat on your back

Avoid lots of alcohol

Most of us snore after going to bed when we’ve had a drink or two.  Drinking alcohol makes your muscles relax more. Because of this relaxation, the air flow is disrupted which causes snoring. According to studies, even if you’re not a habitual snorer, you’re just as likely to snore after drinking alcohol. This is because the relaxation effect on your muscles can raise the level of respiratory resistance by as much as 4 times. Yikes.

Be Healthy

Being overweight or having an unhealthy diet can increase the fatty tissue around your neck. This fatty tissue can squeeze the airway which disrupts the airflow, leading to snoring. If you find yourself reaching for a snack between meals, ditch the doughnuts and check out our healthy snack ideas here.  

Keep allergies in check

Nasal congestion and inflammation caused by allergies is a really common cause of snoring. If you know your nose can’t stand dust, suffer from hay fever or are sensitive to feathers, make sure you keep your allergies in check by whatever means possible. We find antihistamine tablets or a nasal spray work for us, but check with your pharmacist or see your GP for advice if you’re affected by an allergy. You might just find a good night’s sleep is as simple as taking a tablet.

Interesting Fact: Apparently Cardiff is the snoring centre of the UK.  A snoring study by Chemist Direct found that residents of Cardiff are the most severe snorers whilst Aberystwyth has the least severe snorers. Who knew? Check out the below image for a regional rundown on the UK’s worst snorers.

5 IDEAL SKINCARE TIPS FOR SUN AWARENESS WEEK

Rachel Stevenson
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5 IDEAL SKINCARE TIPS FOR SUN AWARENESS WEEK

We all know how harmful UVA and UVB rays are for our skin. Which is why we constantly lather ourselves in a high sun protector, but sun exposure is not the only thing that causes damage to our skin. Chanele Rosa, Clinic Trainer at Ellipse

Heat

The use of saunas, steamers or holding the hairdryer too close to our face, may cause high colour or little thread veins to appear. This is a result from the heat of these particular appliances.

Pigmentation

Pigmentation is not only caused by sun exposure. Some women may find that after taking the contraceptive pill, pigmentation has appeared on their upper lip, forehead or both sides of the face, which has left them feeling self-conscious. This type of pigmentation is hormonal and known as Melasma.

Technology triggers

TV screens, laptops and mobile phones can also be harmful to the skin as they emit a blue light also known as HEV (high – energy visible light) that is more dangerous, if not more, than sun damage.

Poikiloderma of Civatte

Spraying perfume or aftershave on your chest and neck and going straight out in the sun can cause a skin condition called Poikiloderma of Civatte. The appearance can be described as mottled, hyper and hypo pigmentation alongside broken capillaries.

With all these points stated above, we are all guilty of this on a daily basis without thinking of how harmful they are to our skin.

Treatment

The good news is, we can treat the damage that has been done with the Ellipse skin rejuvenation treatment, where hyperpigmentation, sun damage, high colour and thread veins can be removed with as little as three treatments. There is no downtime with this treatment and it can be done in your lunch hour. The treatment works by heating up and breaking down the target (pigment or oxyhaemoglobin) veins will be removed by your body’s natural waste stream and pigmentation will shed naturally.  Your skin will be left feeling more youthful, radiant with an even skin appearance.

A recommended antioxidant serum can be applied to the skin morning and evening, under your moisturiser to help any further damage from harmful lights or rays.

A high SPF of 30 plus is always recommended as part of your daily skin routine.

About Chanele Rosa, Clinic Trainer at Ellipse

Chanele Rosa has been in the Aesthetics industry for 11 years. Working in a Doctor led clinic in South Africa as a trainer and Senior Therapist. She has been in the UK for over 2 years, working on Harley Street before undertaking her latest role at Ellipse as Clinic Trainer.

 

5 IDEAL PLACES TO EAT INDIAN FOOD IN LONDON

Rachel Stevenson
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5 IDEAL PLACES TO EAT INDIAN FOOD IN LONDON

 

Nowhere in the food landscape of London does the paradox of choice loom larger than the all conquering, all encompassing genre of cuisine from the Indian sub-continent. From Sri Lanka, through Bangladesh and on to Pakistan, London’s got it covered. With the myriad of options on offer, we’ve whittled it down to just 5 of the best. Here are IDEAL picks for great Indian food in London.

Amaya

Amaya specialises in sub continental Indian food with a heavy focus on all things charcoal and ember. It is awesome. Plates are small and choice large, which leads to the possibility of sampling a great range of flavours, textures and techniques. Theatre is provided by the large open kitchen – expect to see flames licking the ceiling – and the plates dressed with art and vibrancy in mind. The décor is also reflective of this eye for detail. If you love Indian food or like the idea of a tapas style Indian restaurant then definitely check out Amaya next time you are in London.

Cinnamon Club

Imagine an Indian restaurant as a gentleman’s club and you have Cinnamon Club. It is suave, sophisticated and the food is absolutely champion. The restaurant has lead the way in elevated, fine dining Indian cuisine for a long, long time and their presentation is unique and visually stunning. It tastes stunning too.  However, if you want some great Indian food but don’t feel like your dressed for occasion or just want a night in then why not order something to be delivered through a service like Deliveroo. They’ll bring it straight to your door and can even use a ‘takeaway near me’ feature. Their blog also recently had an interview with the head chef from Indian restaurant Motu, so curry buffs should definitely check that out.

Apollo Banana Leaf

For authentic Indian food, there is nowhere better than Apollo Banana Leaf. Generous portions, finely crafted flavours and service that is lovely as it is competent, Apollo Banana Leaf really has it all. If you’ve haven’t been yet, then you should definitely do something about that. They specialize in South Indian and Sri-Lankan food, helping to set their flavours apart from other restaurants. Any Indian food addict will be right at home with the delicious dishes made here.

Hoppers

Since its October 2015 opening on Frith Street in Soho, Hoppers has been making big waves in London. Its no reservation policy only serves to drum up free marketing, with the queue snaking round the block every night of the week. Sri Lanka hoppers are the main draw, a bowl shaped savoury crepe alongside deep rich curries and chutneys, and are sensational. Seating is tight and space at a premium even on the tables, but the long wait and the shared conversation with other diners is worth it for the gloriously moreish (and very reasonable) Sri Lankan fare on offer.

Tayabs

A much-loved, Punjabi London institution, serving lamb chops famous the city over, there is little not to love about Tayabs. Located in a contemporarily stylised building in east London’s Whitechapel, the place has been open since 1972 and recipes haven’t changed much in this time. When the quality is this high and the dishes this addictive, why would they need to? Add to the mix that it’s BYOB and there’s really no reason not to visit.

Image source: Tayabs

AN IDEAL GUIDE TO TRAVELLING MORE (EVEN WITH A HECTIC JOB)

Rachel Stevenson
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AN IDEAL GUIDE TO TRAVELLING MORE (EVEN WITH A HECTIC JOB)

How many people out there don’t wish they had more time to travel? It’s one of the most widespread desires around; after all, few of us have the desire to look back at our lives and wish we spent less time at the office and more time seeing the world.

But let’s face it: a career that has us working 9-5 and then some is pretty difficult to balance with a life filled with travel. Still, it’s not impossible. A lot of people simply give up, assuming that their hectic career will prevent them from doing the travelling they want to do. But this isn’t the case. Here are a few tips that can help you see more of the world without having to sacrifice a great career

Start earning more money

Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “easier said than done!”. But it’s definitely something you should start thinking about more actively. A lot of people feel pressed for time due to money pressures; they feel that they can’t afford to take the time off, or that the time off will affect their chances of earning more money in the future. Getting yourself to a point where you don’t have to worry about this so much requires more work now, but it can pay off big time. Consider taking further training or education – something like an online MBA can help increase your value.

Be strategic with vacation days

No employer should expect even their star employees to abstain from taking time off. You have vacation days; your aim is to use them wisely in order to maximize the bulks of time you get off. Consider using your vacation days to bookend national holiday weekends. This will grab you a good four or five days off while using only one or two of your vacation days – and that’s a good amount of time to go on a trip! Remember: travelling more doesn’t require you to spend weeks in each location.

Consider a transfer

If you want to see more of your country, then why not consider getting transferred to one of the satellite offices of your company? In the United States, a lot of companies have offices in both the east and west, so someone working in New York City may be able to get a temporary transfer to, say, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Your company may even offer exchange problems, allowing certain workers to work in their main headquarters in exchange for someone going to work elsewhere for a while.

Get good at negotiating

Negotiating is always a handy skill to have, and this is especially true if you want to better balance travel and business. Consider negotiating with your boss to get more time off. A negotiation, of course, will require something from your end – many employees are willing to take a slight pay cut in order to get more time off, or even get more time off instead of accepting the offer of a pay rise. This is also good to consider when you’re negotiating terms and a salary when you first accept a job.

5 IDEAL HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS FROM THE PROS

Rachel Stevenson
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5 IDEAL HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS FROM THE PROS

house-5

Once you own your own home, you start to develop a sense of pride. It feels good to have your own pad, and you suddenly want to look after what you’ve got. Finally, all the years of renting have come to an end.

One day, you notice that you’ve got the home improvement bug. You home is a blank canvas, and you’re the artist, transforming it into something beautiful. The world of home improvements can be tricky to navigate. Here are tips to help you along the way.

Focus On Improvement That Add The Most Value

Let’s say that you have £100,000 in cash lying around waiting to be used on home improvements. Which home improvement would give you the best bang for the buck do you think? You probably have a long laundry list of improvements you’d like to do to your home. But it turns out that some home improvements add more value than others. For instance, decking is extremely popular right now. And people who invest in decking see their homes rise in value by 87 percent of the cost of installation.

Choose Whether To DIY Or Not

If you’ve got a well-stocked shed, you’ve probably entertained doing home improvements yourself. As long as you know your limits, that’s okay and a good way to save money.

But if you want an extension, a new bathroom, or plan to install a brand-new inground pool in your garden, you’ll have to hire out a professional. Remember, hiring out a professional isn’t as risky as it used to be. There are now platforms like TrustATrader where you can find out if a trader is reputable or not.

Find Inspiration Online

The internet is abuzz right now with people creating interesting and unusual home designs. Often, these creatives are able to open our eyes to what is possible in our own homes. There are dozens of sites out there, including Pinterest and Instagram, that serve as inspiration. There are also specialist blogs that give tips on particular styles of interior decor, gardens and so on. Spend a few hours browsing what other people have come up with and ask yourself if it would work in your home.

Find The Dough

The sad truth is that the majority of home improvements don’t pay for themselves, despite what you read on other blogs. That means that you nearly always have to stump up the money yourself in order to pay for them over the long term. If you need credit, look for ways of going into debt that doesn’t put your home at risk. The last thing you want is to build the house of your dreams, only to get evicted a month later.

Tackle The Most Important Projects First

With winter on the horizon, some of your home improvement projects will be more important than others. For instance, if you’ve always wanted a heated towel rail for your bathroom, this is the time to get one installed. On the other and, don’t bother getting decking installed in your garden because it’s going to be months before you can use it.

6 IDEAL REASONS TO GO ON A YOGA RETREAT

Rachel Stevenson
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6 IDEAL REASONS TO GO ON A YOGA RETREAT

Ever wondered if a yoga retreat is for you? Whether you’re an experienced yogi or a beginner, here are ideal reasons to go on a yoga retreat.

Focus on you

A healthy holiday is a rare opportunity to focus on ourselves again, think about our passions, overcome fears and understand what is stopping us from living our life to the fullest.

Leave it all behind

Time spent in retreat provides a much needed break from the usual routine to help reset our mental, physical and emotional well-being in a stunning setting.

Do a digital detox

Many of us (whether we care to admit it or not!) are addicted to our digital devices. At ONEWORLD retreats guests are encouraged (optional) to turn them off, and disconnect in order to reconnect with your own self again. The benefits of doing this are endless and include better sleep, a healthier body rhythm and more focus.

A retreat can be extremely useful for your business

If you feel like your business is getting stagnant and could do with a fresh injection of energy, heading to a retreat can be a profound way to make a big change happen. You’ll be able to take a step back, reflect and reevaluate your career, looking at it from a fresh perspective.

Get to the next level in your yoga practice

A retreat is a great opportunity to experience yoga in an intimate environment and under the guidance of an experienced teacher helping you to either learn from scratch or get deeper and strengthen your practice away from the stress of your day to day life.

Learn how to meditate

Many people know about huge benefits of meditation but find it tricky to grasp the technique in order to include it into their daily routine. Learning to meditate in a peaceful and still place during a retreat can allow you to learn this spiritual practice in and out and return home with a new skill.

Whatever stage you are on in your journey a break from the norm could be just what you need to move onto the next exciting phase.

ONEWORLD Retreats located in Bali hosts a new group yoga retreat each week and has welcomed thousands of people through their doors over the years, watching them transform.

For more information please visit: www.oneworldretreats.com

 

RESTAURANT REVIEW: NANBAN, THE IDEAL PLACE TO EAT RAMEN IN LONDON

Joseph Gann
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RESTAURANT REVIEW: NANBAN, THE IDEAL PLACE TO EAT RAMEN IN LONDON

Brixton, South London, is home to a veritable feast of quirky, independent, independently minded small restaurants. With gentrification sweeping through these unique pockets of London, it is vital to keep supporting places with a free spirit or suffer in identikit, Pizza Express and Greene King purgatory forever. Nanban ticks the former’s box in every way, and is an absolute ripper of a restaurant – a one of a kind we should cherish if we value originality in the capital’s dining scene.

Idea

Masterchef: The Amateurs 2011 winner, Tim Anderson, is now a professional and has been for a while. Fronting this ramen Izakaya (a kind of Japanese beer joint), the American born chef venerates this style of Japanese dining with an eclectic but focused menu. Do not come here expecting sushi, this is billed as ‘soul food’ and lives up to the title with hearty, spicy dishes and a strong, varied sake menu.

Location

A short hop from Brixton tube station, nestled in amongst some of Brixton’s most popular pubs and with the market in view, Nanban is positioned ideally for an early bite before a big night out in the de-facto capital of South-London.

Atmosphere

Youthful and vibrant, with cheerful and energetic wait staff to match, Nanban draws a diverse crowd any night of the week. The small bar offering a great selection of craft, mainly local, beers adds to the fun.

Food

Ramen takes centre stage, ranging from the bang-on traditional; pork, pork broth and tea-cured egg yolk, to the experimental; braised goat served separately from his deep broth, dipping encouraged. The chef’s signature, championship Japanese burgers find a place on the menu if you fancy sampling Masterchef culinary heritage. Spicy, sticky chicken wings and a selection of inventive small plates with a focus on produce from the market complete the bill. With all the slurping, spice and sauce, dark clothes are a must. We’re still trying to get the stains out!

Drinks

An impressive sake selection is proudly visible to all on shelves behind the bar and the sake-tasting menu is an afformative and enjoyable way to drink at Nanban. The aforementioned craft beers have been curated no less thoughtfully. There’s also wine, but with the other great drinks on offer, why would you?

Must Try

No order would be complete here without two dishes. Firstly, a mood dependant ramen. Hungover? It’s got to be the pork. Feeling adventurous? That glorious goat curry ramen. Secondly, the angry birds chicken wings with seaweed seasoning are an absolute delight, possibly our favourite wings in the city. So spicy, moreish and somehow elevated above the humble, they marry to Nanban’s homemade chili sauce majestically. Sure, they bring on a sweat, but that’s what the craft beer is for alleviating.

Why Go

Support your independents. Support your American born, Japan obsessed, Brixton resident. Support Japanese soul food. Support any reason you can to slurp ramen washed down with lovely, original booze.

Address: 426 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8LF, UK

Website: www.nanban.co.uk

 

5 IDEAL DIY WEDDING FAVOURS YOUR GUESTS WILL LOVE

Rachel Stevenson
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5 IDEAL DIY WEDDING FAVOURS YOUR GUESTS WILL LOVE

You’ve got the venue sorted, the guest list is perfected, your engagement ring is glittering and ready for its accompanying wedding band and everyone in the wedding party knows what they’re doing (hopefully). So, now that all the important things are in place it’s time to move on to the last thing on most brides to do lists – the wedding favours!

Many of us don’t wish to spend too much on these gifts. After all you and your partner have paid for the food and most of the drink for the big day, but it’s still nice to have a little something on the table for people to take away. If you’re running out of time and you’re on a budget, then here are a few easy DIY favours to put together:

His & Hers sweets

Perhaps you love Jelly Babies and your partner loves Maltesers? If so, take inspiration from this and grab some large bags of you and your partner’s favourite sweets and pop a few of these into a small cellophane pouch. Label them ‘His & Hers Favourites’ and let your guests work out who enjoys eating what!

Cake pops

Super simple to make and a great post dinner snack – or you could even save money and have them for dessert! – cake pops are delicious and your guests will love them. All you need is cake mix (if you’re not much of a baker pre packaged is absolutely fine) melted chocolate or icing and some sprinkles, plus a silicone cake pop mould and sticks. You could even tie the cake pops in with your colour scheme, opting for icing in matching shades!

Seed bags

‘Plant the seed of love’, ‘watch our love grow’ – grab some plain sticky labels and decorate these with a similar phrase then stick them to small brown envelopes filled with seeds for you and your partner’s favourite flower. It’s such an easy favour to create for a small budget and one that guests can enjoy long after the day is over.

Hangover kit

Weddings are notorious for drunk guests and sore heads the next morning, so a fun favour in the form of a ‘hangover rescue kit’ is a great idea. Order some small drawstring bags – eBay is perhaps the best place to search for these – then fill them with a couple of paracetamol capsules, a small bottle of water and a breath mint. Your guests will appreciate them in the morning!

If you are having kids at your wedding, they obviously won’t need a hangover kit, so instead put together a little colouring book – you can find wedding themed templates online – and tie some crayons together for them to use. Here’s a link to some free downloadable templates.

Do not disturb signs

If your wedding is taking place in a hotel and your guests are staying the night, then this is a great favour to place on the tables. You can find designs for do not disturb signs online that you can edit or they’re so easy to make yourself – here’s an easy to follow tutorial.

So now that you’re feeling inspired, it’s time to recreate one of these great DIY favours! Your guest will love whatever you choose.

5 IDEAL TRAVEL HACKS TO MAKE YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER

Rachel Stevenson
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5 IDEAL TRAVEL HACKS TO MAKE YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER

It’s probably fair to say that we’d all like a little more money in our pockets when we go on holiday. After all, all those entertainment and dinning bills soon add up! Holidays are no time for cutting corners or selling yourself short, but at the same time you have to be realistic.

Which is why it’s a good idea to arm yourself with a few tips, tricks and hacks from the experts, before you set sail for foreign shores. They might not make you rich, but they could certainly help ensure your money goes at least a little bit further!

Care with Currency

It’s largely unheard of these days for any traveller to get a better exchange rate at home than in the country they’re travelling to. That is, unless you make the mistake of using exchange offices in airports, around local tourist attractions or even in your hotel. Always change your cash on the other side, but be sure to have a little on-hand for emergency purposes when you arrive.

Clear Cookies and Enable Private Browsing

You know those cookies that ensure websites know which language to fire-up in and various other bits and pieces each time you access them? Well, they can also result in you paying more than necessary for flights, accommodation and so on. Some experts have warned that dynamic pricing models adopted by many airlines and hotels gradually increase prices, each time the same user re-visits the site in question. It’s a tactic to tempt you into buying impulsively, but can be beaten by clearing cooking and enabling private browsing.

Use the Right Cards

Traveling internationally? You need credit and debit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. There are benefits when paying for flights and hotels with a credit card such as improving your credit score – you can read more information about that over at ClearScore. You might also want to consider reward/cashback schemes like Avios, which over time can lead to heavy discounts or perhaps even free airline tickets! Also call your credit card company to let them know you’re traveling, otherwise your card might well be put on hold.

Tell Your Bank

One of the best ways of getting a great exchange rate and never ending up with too much foreign currency is to withdraw as you go using your bank card. However, you’ll need to speak to your bank first as they may attach totally OTT charges to the service, rendering it completely unviable when looking to save money. In some instances, they may offer a facility for free international withdrawals and use of your card in general.

Use Free Stopovers

Last up, instead of planning an adventure holiday step by step, why not work in accordance with scheduled flight stopovers? For example, if you’re looking to fly to the US, you could always choose a flight that swaps in Iceland and spend a few days there, without paying an additional supplement. If you’re savvy enough, any point-to-point trip can be transformed into the holiday of a lifetime – all while paying a lower price than a comparable non-stop service.

4 IDEAL PASTRIES TO EAT IN LONDON

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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4 IDEAL PASTRIES TO EAT IN LONDON

We’ve eaten our way through a lot of pastries in London – some have been bad, some have been good and some have been downright excellent. In our eyes you can’t beat these four – they just cry ‘eat me’. Try not to think about how bad they are for you, just go, enjoy, and run later.

Cronut – Dominique Ansel London

Do you remember when the whole world went crazy for the Cronut? In 2013, Chef Dominique Ansel came up with the croissant-doughnut hybrid and hasn’t looked back since. This legendary pastry looks like a doughnut, but is made from croissant-like dough, rolled in sugar, filled with a flavoured cream (that changes every month) and topped with a beautiful glaze. These pastries live up to all the hype and are worth making a special trip for.

IDEAL Tip: The cronut is always in high demand and sell out daily, so we advise pre-ordering them to avoid disappointment.

Address: 17-21 Elizabeth St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9RP, UK

Website: http://dominiqueansellondon.com/

Cinnamon Buns – Nordic Bakery

As far as we’re concerned, these are the most delicious cinnamon buns in town. Originating from a rustic home-style Finnish recipe, these buns are the real deal. Think layer-after-layer of buttery,  perfectly spiced rolls with a sticky sweet golden glaze that gives them a slightly crunchy bite.  So what makes these cinnamon buns the best? Nordic Bakery’s trick is to bake them on their sides, so the sweet cinnamon and butter filling stays enclosed inside.

IDEAL Tip:  Nordic Bakery celebrates Cinnamon Bun Week each year on 28th – 4th October – every year they do something special like limited edition flavours  -as seen in the above pic!

Address:  14a Golden Square, Soho, London, W1F 9JG

Website: nordicbakery.com

Custard Doughnut – St John’s

St John’s is THE place to go when you’re in the mood for a delicious doughnut – it’s owned by Fergus Henderson, who is like a god to chefs around the world and his vanilla bean custard doughnuts have a cult following.  Every Saturday and Sunday, doughnut disciples descend on St. John Druid streey bakery to sample them.

IDEAL Tip: Their doughnuts are also available every day from other St John outlets: Bread & Wine, Monday to Friday from St. John Smithfield and Wednesday to Sunday from St. John Maltby.

Address: 72 Druid Street London SE1 2HQ

Website:  https://www.stjohngroup.uk.com/bakery/

Biskie – Cutter and Squidge

Another hybrid that we love, the biskie is a biscuit /cookie/cake creation filled with buttercream. The texture may sound a bit weird, but it totally works – it’s crisp, soft, chewy and melty all at the same time. And for the health conscious, they have created a special buttercream that only uses half the amount of butter and sugar than most recipes, it’s packed full of real fruit, premium chocolate and over delicious things instead doe maximum flavour.

IDEAL Tip: Apparently the best way to eat a biskie is to leave it in the fridge for a day or so until it is softer, then take it out, leave it to warm up a bit and then to devour it – cookie monster style.

Address: 20 Brewer street, Soho, London, W1F 0SJ

Website:  cutterandsquidge.com

 

5 IDEAL PLACES TO EAT FRESH SEAFOOD IN LONDON

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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5 IDEAL PLACES TO EAT FRESH SEAFOOD IN LONDON

Finding fresh fish in London is like shooting them in a barrel, but a little research goes a long way in separating the good from the best. Although not on the coast, the best restaurants are now shipping amazingly fresh produce up to the capital daily. Here are our IDEAL picks for the freshest seafood cooked with flair and precision in London.

Outlaw’s at the Capital

Nathan Outlaw is often called the best fish chef in the world and it’s easy to see why – his approach is one of utter respect for the ingredient, pure and simple. He sources the best quality seafood money can buy and cooks it with clarity, with supporting acts only allowed to grace the plate if they serve to elevate the main event. His London outpost reflects this ethos perfectly, with a regularly changing menu dependent on season as well as the daily catch from head chef Tom Brown’s native Cornwall.  Outlaw’s lobster risotto with orange and basil is the stuff of legend and the restaurant’s way with turbot – usually roasted on the bone with a simple butter sauce – is sensational. One of our favourite places to eat fish, period.

Website: www.outlaws.co.uk

Scott’s

One of London’s oldest and most famous restaurants, Scotts, located in Mayfair, is not for those on a budget. Often, you get what you pay for where fish is concerned and this place serves premium product, often served very simply over ice, by the bucket-load. In the centre of the room is their famous oyster bar, and you’d be mad not to eat a few while you were here. One for a special occasion, certainly, but worth every penny if fish is your thing.

Website: www.scotts-restaurant.com

Hix Oyster and Chop House

Mark Hix knows his oysters. He’s written books about them. His Oyster and Chop house is frequently named as one of London’s favourite places to eat oysters. Though the oysters are certainly worth the visit alone, we would recommend the cockle popcorn as well as the owner’s own brand Hix Oyster Ale, the perfect accompaniment to all that slippery saline nourishment.

Website: www.hixrestaurants.co.uk

Wright Brothers Borough Market

Borough Market is an exciting place to be for lovers of the shelled species. The Wright Brothers have five outposts over the city, spanning from West to East and North to South, but their place in the market is our favourite. There is a buzz any day of the week, with clinking glasses of bubbly and lively chatter vibrating through the establishment. Refreshingly lacking in starched white formality, Wright Brothers lets the seafood take centre stage, where it quite rightly belongs.

Website: thewrightbrothers.co.uk

Chip Shop

Not so much precision, but a lot of flair – this hip hop themed Fish ’n’ Chip restaurant in Brixton seems an odd proposition, but try telling that to the hugely mixed clientele of old and young attending this place with regularity and enthusiasm. It may seem odd to see your elderly grandfather dunking chips in homemade mushy peas whilst his foot slyly taps along to Biggy, but the quality of the cooking and bargain price will certainly bring him back for another visit.

Website: www.chipshopbxtn.com

TOP TEN IDEAL SUMMER WEDDING DOS AND DON’TS

Rachel Stevenson
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TOP TEN IDEAL SUMMER WEDDING DOS AND DON’TS

Are you planning a summer wedding? Then follow these fabulous summer wedding dos and don’ts for a celebration that goes off without a hitch

If you are having a summertime wedding, your vision for that special day probably includes beautiful weather with bright blue skies, gorgeous flowers, guests milling around with their favorite cocktail enjoying scrumptious hors d’oeurves and raving about how beautiful everything is.

While it is possible your day could turn out exactly the way you dreamed it would, you need to prepare for the possibility that a number of things could indeed go wrong if you don’t plan ahead. However, if you have never planned a summer wedding before, how do you know what to anticipate?

That’s where the experience of a qualified wedding consultant comes in. Kathy Byrum of Dream Wedding and Event Planners has been planning and coordinating summer weddings for over 14 years. Below are some of Kathy’s top tips for preventing you and your guests from feeling the discomfort of the summertime heat, maintaining the beauty of your dream cake, ensuring your flowers stay fresh, and other important details to make certain your dream wedding goes off without a hitch.

One

If you are planning an outdoor ceremony and/or reception, always have a backup plan in the event of rain. Make sure you have an indoor option if Mother Nature doesn’t go your way.

Two

Make sure your guests are well taken care of, especially if they are sitting out in the warm sun without some sort of shade overhead. Have plenty of ice cold water available in pretty glasses with slices of lemon and lime or bottled water in ice buckets, and have your hostesses and ushers hand out fans or umbrellas (and perhaps a little insect repellant) to keep everyone comfy during an outdoor affair.

Three

One of the best ways to keep your makeup from sliding right off your face on a hot, humid day is to hire a professional makeup artist. If your budget doesn’t allow that: a) use an oil-absorbing foundation primer ; b) layer your eye makeup with a translucent face powder; c) mist on a makeup setting spray; and d) carry some makeup blotting papers in your clutch so you can absorb any excess oil without removing your makeup.

Four

When selecting your bridal gown for an outdoor celebration, stay away from heavy fabrics such as satin or brocade. Multiple layers of crinolines or slips should be avoided because they can trap heat making you very uncomfortable. Added beads or sequins will weigh down your dress causing it to cling to your skin as well. You should also take into consideration lighter materials that breathe for the men’s tuxedos or suits.

Five

Don’t plan on having a fondant wedding cake if it will be outdoors. Hot weather can trap heat on the inside of the cake causing the fondant frosting to bulge and sag. Opt for buttercream, and skip the mousse fillings that can go rancid in just a few hours. Either way, try to keep your cake refrigerated until just before your guests arrive.

Six

Don’t stretch out the cocktail hour for more than the traditional one hour. Since summer weddings can be quite warm, too much alcohol can be a bad thing. Make sure your appetizers are substantial enough to prevent the alcohol from going to everyone’s heads! Also, your guests want to move into the announcements, toasts and dinner hour without delay so they can get on with the socializing and dancing. Unnecessary gaps between events can cause your guests to lose that essential party mood.

Seven

In the months of May through August, there are a wide variety of summer blooms from which to choose. If you stick with seasonal flowers, they will be more affordable. Talk with your floral designer about whether your flowers will be inside or outside for the evening, and they will educate you about which flowers are more sensitive to the outdoor heat.

Eight

Order a backup boutonniere. They are fragile, especially since your groom will be wearing it all day, and it needs to withstand the heat and hugs. Order an extra one so you can replace it when his begins to droop.

Nine

Summer heat and humidity can cause your feet and hands to swell. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and try to stay cool before walking down the aisle. Apply a bit of hand lotion to your ring finger to avoid trouble getting that ring on during your vows!

Ten

Provide Powder Room necessities for both the men and the women. Assemble baskets with useful items such as Band-Aids, deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, mouthwash, hand lotion, baby powder, bobby pins, body spray, Tylenol for the occasional headache, mint flavored gum, etc. Customize the baskets to suit the needs for men and women alike.

These are just a few of the highlights involved in thinking ahead while planning your summertime nuptials. Having a professional plan your wedding and be there to oversee the day’s events is the best wedding gift you can give yourselves. Invest wisely in your wedding and make sure you are well taken care of so you can enjoy all of the special moments that you will treasure for a lifetime.

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HANGOVERS

Rachel Stevenson
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10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HANGOVERS

Brits will spend two years of their lives feeling hungover – and rely on a fry-up, a lie-in and a hair of the dog to get them through it a study as found.  With this in mind, here are 10 things you need to know about hangovers, and 5 things that will help you recover from them.

1. Age matters – they do get worse with age

2. Studies reveal women suffer worse hangovers then men due to possessing fewer of the enzymes that metabolise alcohol

3. Avoid strong coffee as it actually dehydrates the body

4. Choose your fizzy hangover cures wisely as some contain well over the recommended allowance of sodium – which in the long term could ramp up your blood pressure

5. The stronger the alcohol the quicker the blood levels raise so you get drunk quicker so think about the types of drinks you are drinking

6. Alcohol has a general anaesthetic effect on the brain. Initially it ‘anaesthetises’ pathways involved in inhibitions which is why you lose your social brakes, then it anaesthetises other areas so you feel whoozy and lose those essential motor skills etc.

7. Shaky hands are caused by alcohol relaxing the arteries and dehydration – reducing your blood pressure

8. Throbbing temples and headaches are down to dehydration of the brain – one of the reasons why exercise isn’t all that sensible when hungover – and to the effects of toxins such as acetaldehyde which the liver is unable to process quickly enough to clear them if you are drinking lots in one go.

9. Alcohol irritates the digestive system and increases acidity – BUT dry biscuits can help mop this up.

10. Eggs contain cysteine – an amino acid thought to mop up the toxins that build up in the liver. So boiled eggs and soldiers are a good option.

Top five products that work for a hangover

Whether you’re looking for a hangover treatment near you in Boston, Berlin or Barcelona, the below have been shown to be somewhat effective in soothing that sorehead you’re currently nursing…

  1. Water to address dehydration

2.  Effervescent tablets to replace vitamin C and B vitamins which are quickly depleted when metabolising alcohol

3. Globe Artichoke to stimulate liver function and increase bile production to reduce bloating

4. Milk Thistle – protects liver cells from the toxic effects of alcohol by raising levels of a liver antioxidant, and is a traditional herbal medicine for intestinal distress

5.  Silicol gel – to absorb toxins and line the stomach to reduce irritation and indigestion.

Study by  Healthspan Ruby Effervescent Vitamin C 

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