Hectic airports, delayed flights and lost luggage – travelling on a plane can be very stressful. Unfortunately, if you are crossing multiple time zones, you can also expect symptoms of jet lag. From headaches and irritation, to diarrhea and a pounding heart – jet lag hits without warning and it can transform you into a zombie.
Once your body’s natural 24-hour clock has been disrupted there is nothing that can completely beat jet lag. However, there are things you can do, to ease its symptoms and enjoy your holiday. We have asked Michela Vagnini, Nutritionist at Nature’s Plus to give us her toptips on beating jet lag naturally.
Look at the Sun
To rebalance your day and night rhythm try to force yourself to get up just after sunrise. To boost your cortisol production, which is responsible for waking up in the morning, look towards the sun when waking, an open window will do the trick if you can’t get outside. In the evening, look at the sunset until it gets dark. This will stimulate melatonin production in your brain, which is also known as the ‘sleeping hormone’.
Stay away from Starbucks
Several studies have identified dietary components, such as glucose, sodium, ethanol or caffeine as capable of phase-shifting day and night rhythms. Be careful with sugary and junk foods that might have some stimulating additives or flavorings.
Stay away from coffee, colas, teas and other energetic drinks or herbs. Be careful with crisps and salted peanuts – they are very high in salt. Try to reduce your salt intake to 2g a day max (1/2 teaspoon). Make sure you read labels as some snacks may contain MSG, which is a popular flavor enhancer, also known as a brain stimulant.
Having an alcoholic drink might seem like a good idea to help you fall asleep but in fact, it will compromise sleep quality and dehydrate you, making it more difficult to adapt to new time zones.
Turn off your phone
Long-time exposure to blue light from our phones, iPads and TV’s can interfere with a production of melatonin and confuse our tired body, which will take it as a daylight and sign to stay awake.
Go for a walk!
Sunlight stimulates the secretion of serotonin, known as a ‘happy’ hormone that will give you a quick boost of energy. In addition, when our body gets physically tired it induces a deeper better sleep.
Support your adrenal glands
These peanut-size masses of tissue located on top of your kidneys are essential for your stress response and sleeping patterns. When you are jet lagged they are doubling up their workload to keep you awake so they need an extra sup
port. The most important nutrients for adrenal health are vitamins B, which you can find in eggs, organic meat, green leafy vegetables and whole grains (Don’t get tempted with sugary muffins!). Spirulina and algae extract are great super foods for our adrenal glands providing essential minerals and amino acids. To get a complete green foods blend, add a tablespoon of Nature’s Plus Green Lightning (www.nutricentre.com, £1.29 per sachet) to your coconut water and feel the energy!
We used to think that business class was crazy and a waste of money, after all, we all end up in the same place. And even if you have all the money in the world, why waste it on a few more inches of legroom. Like most people, we’ve always been happy to make do with “cattle class”. But of course, that was before we flew with TAP Portugal.
From food that you actually want to eat, to pre-flight drinks (in real glasses, obviously) and meals served on a tablecloth with real china and proper cutlery (instead of those plastic knock-offs back in cattle class), here are 5 reasons you should always fly business class with TAP.
The Comfort
When you’re on a long haul flight, an inch of extra legroom, let alone a foot makes all the difference and you get more than enough room flying business class. Seats can be adjusted with a controller until you’re pretty much lying down. Hello long haul flight nap.
Work Productively
With more legroom and a bigger workspace, it means that you can actually do some work.
The Food
Plane food, it’s usually a culinary journey of hell. Think soggy grey stew or something that’s pretending to be chicken. But not here. When you travel TAP you get edible and delicious Portuguese , Brazilian and International cuisine.
Think the best of Portuguese products and flavours and a menu is designed by award winning chefs. If you have a sweet tooth then you’re in for a treat, most flights serve Portuguese egg tarts which retain their crisp, crackly pastry and rich flavour even though you’re miles up in the air.
Save on time
We’re not advising you to purposely cut it fine, but you can show up at the airport a little later because your business-class boarding pass gives you access to a faster security line at most airports. You’re the first off the plane and so is your bag, so there’s less time waiting at baggage claim.
If you’re going on a long haul flight, business class is better. There is no doubt about it.
This journey with TAP Portugal was hosted as part of a press trip with the Brazilian Tourist Board. For further information, visit www.flytap.com or call 0345 601 0932.
6: sausages
400g: small new potatoes, cooked and halved
1tbsp: olive oil
4: spring onions, sliced
150g: cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (130g): bag Italian or Continental salad leaves
Grill the sausages under a medium grill for 8-10mins, turning them occasionally until browned on all sides. Thinly slice and leave to cool. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a non-stick frying pan, add the potatoes and sauté for 6mins or until golden brown. Add the sausages, spring onions and cherry tomatoes and sauté for 3mins. Finally add all the dressing ingredients and toss well. Remove from the heat. Empty the salad leaves into a large bowl, add the potato mixture and toss to mix. Serve immediately.
Cook Tips
This salad can be served with 225g/ 8oz cooked and sliced new potatoes and 1oz/ 25g of walnuts to turn dish into a heartier meal.
Salad Used
Bag Italian or continental salad leaves.
Recipe courtesy of Sausage & potato salad from the British Leafy Salads Association
TV chef Dean Edwards developed this recipe to help inspire people to make more of salad. This makes a fantastic veggie meal and it’s ready in less than 15 minutes! This salad is full of great texture, from the sweet crispiness of the iceberg lettuce to the crunchy carrot and courgette ribbons. Iceberg is really versatile and is a lettuce which is great in both hot and cold dishes.
Celebrity Make-up Artist Francesca Neill shares her tips for eye make-up and the trends to look out for
We’ve all heard the buzz about make-up primer and how it will be a good investment for our make-up bags but what does it actually do? Despite the eyelid skin being noticeably thinner compared to facial skin, eyelids still produce oil which can cause eye make-up to slide around and end up in the crease. Using primer before eyeshadow application not only provides the perfect even base for eye make-up; it also helps even out any discolouration and smooths the appearance of fine lines on the eyelids too.
A good quality eye primer will blend smoothly onto the eyelids, dry invisibly, intensify the colour pigment of the eyeshadow and prolong the wear of your eye make-up. Collection & Celebrity Make-up Artist Francesca Neill tells us more and shares her top tips on eyeshadow application and how to achieve the ultimate smokey eye look in this short video
Aromatic fresh thyme lends depth to this dish, complementing the sweet earthiness of the beetroot and enhancing the delicate flavour of the cod.
Ingredients (serves 2)
Prep: 10 minutes/ Cook: 30 minutes
300g whole beetroot, peeled and cut into wedges
1 tbsp olive oil
½ pot Thyme, chopped
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
2 cod fillets
450g floury potatoes, cut into chunks
15g butter
3 tbsp semi skimmed milk
2 tsp horseradish sauce
Method
Preheat the oven to 200oC, gas mark 6.
Place the beetroot in a small roasting tin and toss in the oil, 1/3 thyme and vinegar, season and bake for 15 minutes. Place the cod on a small baking tray and add to the oven and cook for a further 15 minutes until the cod is cooked and beetroot is tender.
Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in boiling water for 10-15 minutes until tender, drain and mash with the butter, milk, 1/3 thyme and seasoning.
Toss the beetroot in the horseradish with 2 tbsp water and remaining thyme and serve with the cod and mash.
Where do you buy herbs from in the winter?
Pots of British grown, fresh herbs are available from Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, all year round.
Business Class flying: Is it worth it? Well when it comes to Qatar airways the answer is a definate yes
Fancy skipping the queues and being greeted with champagne and fine wine upon boarding the plane? Do you want a comfortable journey and food that you actually want to eat? Most people think that flying business class is an unnecessary expense, we did too until we flew from London to Doha with Qatar Airways. It opened our eyes to a whole new world. Here are seven reasons why flying business class with Qatar Airways is totally worth it:
Comfort
Long haul flights can be a real pain in the back, but not with Qatar airways. The seats in the business class cabin are super comfortable. The fight for space between your feet and your bag isn’t a thing here, there’s loads of room to stow your belongings.
The wide seats can be moved to lots of different positions including a full flat bed position so sleeping will come easily. There’s even fluffy pillows and comfy blankets to rest your weary head on that are so much better than the ones you get in economy.
Fantastic Food
Plane food is, on the whole, extremely unappetising. We reckon most people only eat it because they’re bored. But not here. Qatar Airways food is not only palatable, it’s good. They serve signature dishes, created by well known celebrity chefs, and no chef would put their name to terrible plane food unless they wanted to ruin their career in one fowl plane dive. You can even order your food on demand. From Iranian grill mixes to a great meze plates, the food here is anything but bland. Also, the wine list is endless. It is however a little sad when you see the air hostess pour the leftover wine down the drain – Doha is a dry airport.
You Can Be Productive
One of the worst things about flying economy is the boredom. There are only so many movies you can watch on a long haul flight before your eyes go square. And forget about trying to get any work done. Trying to get your laptop out of your bag is hard enough, let alone fighting with the person next to you for enough elbow room so you can actually type. However flying business class is a whole different story. The space and free wifi on is much more conducive to working.
The Service
World-class service. That’s all we have to say.
The Toiletries
The chance to freshen up mid-flight with a bag full of Giorgio Armani toiletries it just the ticket. You can avoid that horrible sweaty feeling that comes with long-haul flights with these luxury goodies. Big thumbs up.
All The Awards
Qatar Airways have received World’s Best Business Class from Skytrax so many times it’s hard to keep track. Skytrax commissions leading, independent, global surveys of airline and airport performance. They think that Qatar Airways are the best of the best and so do we.
The Business Lounge
Waiting at the airport for your flight is one of the worst things about flying. But not at when you’re business class with Qatar. All passengers who fly either Business or First Class get free access into the Qatar Airways airport lounge.
The lounge itself is like stepping into a fancy boutique hotel lobby or a private club. The deli counter is a winner and offers lots of fresh food. Also they have fantastic shower facilities if you want to freshen up, complete with heated floors and luxury brand products.
Brazilian food can be a bit hard to get a handle on. The cusine is so diverse and has influences from all over, including Portugal and Africa and most of us are unfamiliar with its own indigenous foods. Ever heard of cupuaçu, bacuri, pupunha or tucumã? Didn’t think so. However, like most places in the world, one thing is for sure – you find the best seafood on the coast and Fortaleza is no exception. Here it’s abundant and delicious. We’ve listed some of the not-to-miss Brazilian foods when your in Fortaleza, but our top recommendation is to eat seafood whenever you have a chance.
CARNE DE SOL
Carne de Sol is a delicious “sun-dried” meat which translates to “meat of sun.” Beef is heavily salted and cured in the sun for one or two days. It’s typically served alongside a semi-hard cheese called queijo de coalho which is also delcious. Try it!
TAPIOCA
The locals love to eat tapioca for breakfast. These unique pearlescent Brazilian-style crepes are made with tapioca starch derived from the cassava root (also called yuca). They are chewy and bland, but turn out to be quite satisfying when filled with something sweet or savoury. We liked having ours with cheese. Other favourite fillings include grated coconut, banana and carne de sol. If you get a chance, watch them being made – tapioca is poured onto a heated pan and somehow sticks together forming a crepe. It’s a bit like watching a magic trick.
Seafood Anything
Seafood is a speciality of Fortaleza. It’s especially famous for its lobster, shrimp and crab. For a great seafood experience go to fish market at the end Avenida Beira Mar. Here you can buy fish or shellfish at one market stall, and another stall will clean, cook and serve it up with some rice for you to eat. For a great seafood restaurant you can’t go wrong with Coco Bambu.
Acai Bowl
If you’re a foodie or really into your fitness, then you’ve probably heard of the acai berry. Grown on palm trees in the swamps and floodplains of the Amazon, the acai berry is one of those super foods that everyone raves about. Some people even call it the youth berry. When you’re in Brazil, you must try an acai bowl. It’s basically a really thick smoothie that sort of resembles ice cream and is commonly topped with granola and banana. It tastes a bit tangy and bitter, but even if you don’t like it, remember it’s doing wonderful things to your body.
Caranguejada
Going to Fortaleza and not experiencing Thursday night crab-fest and having a crab-blowout is inconceivable. Head to Varjota which a neighbourhood where you’ll find lots of bars and great restaurants. Order a “Caranguejada” which is a crab dish with lots of fresh spices. It’s authentic, local and delicious.
Pão de queijo
Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. These little cheese puffs are made with tapioca flour and are a much loved snack. We liked having them for breakfast.
Tacaca
This is a delicious soup of shrimps common to the North of Brazil. It’s made with shrimps (obviously) yellow pepper and other herbs boiled in manioc root broth.
Peixe delicia
This is boiled or grilled fish served with bananas and coconut milk. It may sound like an odd combination, but it totally works.
Vatapa
This is a delicious dish made from bread, shrimp. coconut milk and finely ground peanuts, mashed into a creamy, if not a little grainy paste.
GETTING THERE: TAP Portugal flies from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester to Fortaleza, via Lisbon, with prices from £532 return. Call 0345 601 0932 or see flytap.com.
STAYING THERE: Bed and breakfast at Hotel Vila Gale Fortaleza is from £50 per room per night; all inclusive at the Hotel Vila Gale Cumbuco is from £119 per room per night, see vilagale.com.
If you thought that Dover was the only place in Europe famed for its white cliffs, you’re far from in the minority. Contrary to popular belief, gleaming white cliffs aren’t exclusive to the south coast of the UK. Take a trip to France’s Alabaster Coast and discover a beautiful corner of the country that all too often goes overlooked.
Known informally as “The White Cliffs of Normandy”, this region has been inspiring artists, poets and romantics in general for centuries. It was a favourite of Monet and Pisarro alike – not to mention travellers from all over the world who visit the region each year.
The strip – know more formally as Côte d’Albâtre – stretches for more than 80 miles and has within its midst many pleasant towns, villages and coastal resorts. One of the easiest ways to reach The Alabaster coast is to take the car on the cross-channel ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre. As such, it’s a great destination for a simple, relaxed and enjoyable road trip. Even if you only have a weekend available, there’s still plenty of time to explore what’s on offer.
Just be sure to stop by a few of the highlights along the way, which include the following top-picks:
Le Havre
As you’ll most likely be exiting the ferry here anyway, you might as well take the time to explore one of France’s most important maritime port towns. Steeped in history, Le Havre is home to interesting buildings, galleries and unique local attributes. The historic town centre makes the perfect place for an aimless stroll with no destination, being sure to stop by the impressive Eglise St Joseph on your travels. And of course, it would be a shame not to sample the very best of the local cuisine served up at the eateries of Le Havre, which for the most part centre on high-quality seafood.
Etretat
The Côte d’Albâtre as a whole may be beautiful, but the cliffs of Etretat are a real highlight. You might have seen l’Aiguille (The Needle) in any number of photographs, but nothing can prepare you for the sight of the famous rock formation in real life. Less of an option, more an absolute must for a coastal stroll, or a more rugged hike for those out for a challenge. Weather-dependant, the beaches make for ideal afternoons in the sun, along with the perfect spot to take in the sunset. There are several local seafood restaurants around Etretat that are every bit as impressive as the coastline itself!
Fécamp
Here’s where you’ll find the highest of all cliffs in Normandy and a spot that Monet was particularly fond of. The peak rises a full 300 feet above the bay beneath, though to really take it in for all its worth you need to book yourself on a boat trip out into the bay. It makes a great excursion for the whole family (weather permitting) and there’s always the option of indulging in a spot of fishing.
Dieppe
It would be a shame to take the time to visit the Côte d’Albâtre and not also take the time to stop by Dieppe. A popular holiday destination for France’s most elite circles for generations, Dieppe really does have it all. The architecture is beautiful, its maritime history is enthralling, the beaches are great and the food is quite legendary. Dieppe has a well-earned reputation for serving up some of the best seafood in the world in any number of traditional cafes and restaurants that haven’t changed for generations. It’s also the kind of place where a total transformation occurs at sundown and many quiet streets suddenly burst into life.
Côte Fleurie
Last but not least, consider including Côte Fleurie in your road trip itinerary. It’s another example of a seaside haunt that was previously exclusive, though has since become much more accessible and considerably less snooty. Home to an annual American Film Festival that brings the rich and famous of Hollywood into the area, Côte Fleurie is also home to a strip of stunning sands referred to as “The Queen of Beaches”. Coupled with a world of amenities for the whole family, you could easily spend a week or two at the heart of Côte Fleurie and never run out of enjoyable things to do.
You don’t have to be frugal to appreciate the value of a fantastic bargain. Whether it’s a 50% online-only sale or a local store clearance that is literally giving away items, those big red numbers almost always give us that tingling sensation that we’re stretching our pennies. It might sound silly, but there are many people who don’t actually look around for deals, don’t value their pennies or even shop smartly. If you’re someone that doesn’t put too much thought into your their purchases, or if you want to know how you can save even more money by shopping smartly, here are a couple of tips.
Making Smart Purchases
First of all, before you make a purchase you should think about what you’re actually buying and if you need it. You have to discipline yourself to not fall into the trap of spending money during a sale on items you don’t actually need. For instance, if there’s a 50% sale on a large 4K television, then you might be inclined to upgrade your current television. In this case, think how much you actually use your television and if it will be worth the upgrade. The fact that there’s a sale doesn’t necessarily indicate a great deal either, it could just mean that the television in question isn’t very good and they’re getting rid of stock in anticipation of a new model.
In this case, you should do your research. Look online and Google a review of the product in question. If the reviews look good and the price is within your range, then you can consider buying it based on the fact that it’s a good value purchase. But let’s not stop there, let’s go back to what was said previously—do you actually need it? Far too many people become hoarders because they keep buying cheap furniture and electronics whenever they’re on sale. In the case of a 4K television, you need to have compatible media in order to make use of the larger resolution. If you currently use your television to watch Netflix, then you need to understand that not every show or movie currently supports 4K programming, meaning you won’t get to make the most of your new television. According to Lifewire.com, only a couple of shows on Netflix can be viewed in 4K, and the quality isn’t a huge difference compared to regular HD streaming.
How to Look for Deals
Deal-hunting is one of the most satisfying things for a frugal shopper to do. Whenever you have a couple of minutes spare, you could log on to deal websites such as DontPayFull.com and make some fantastic savings on everything from groceries to electronics. Many coupons go out of date within just a couple of weeks or even days, so if there are coupons for something you need such as groceries, then it’s best to make use of them as soon as possible.
Whenever you shop online, it’s a good idea to search for coupons for the online store you are using. You’d be surprised at how many times an online business hands out discount coupons on their social media channels or gives a code to reviews in order to get a bit more publicity. It doesn’t take long to look around for a coupon code either. Just do a simple Google search and spend about five minutes searching. If you can’t find a working one, then chances are there probably isn’t an active coupon around that you can use.
Separating Good and Bad Reviews
Online reviews on the store’s website are usually pretty horrible. Sometimes they’re filled with angry customers that bought a product and don’t understand how to use it, sometimes they’re reviewed by people who didn’t even buy the product, and occasionally there are reviews by people who are far too optimistic about a company or brand and they write a review that is borderline false advertising. These are the types of reviews you want to avoid, but it can sometimes be difficult trying to discern whether a review is legitimate or bogus. In other words, it’s best to avoid product reviews completely on websites such as Amazon, and you should only use the star rating as a general indication of the quality of a product.
If you want more detailed information, you should try and find reviews on YouTube that actually show you the product so you get a better idea of what it’s like. In addition to that, reviews on popular blogs that have reviewed similar products are also trustworthy, and they typically offer coupon codes or affiliate links that help you save money on those specific purchases. You can find a useful list of trusted reviewers at Cision.com. Keep in mind that some lesser-known blogs will review products only because they have been sponsored to, and although they are legally obliged to let people know they have received the product for free or that it’s a paid sponsorship, they sometimes neglect to do so.
Refurbished, Used and Older Models
Depending on the type of item you want to buy, you might get a fantastic deal on used or refurbished equipment. For instance, a new MacBook Pro starts at around £1,149, but a refurbished or opened box laptop of the same model could save you around £300 or more. If you look at refurbished versions of an older model, you could save even more money. The product still works, it comes with all the same software, the hardware is comparable and you could save a huge chunk of money.
Unless you absolutely need to buy something new, there’s almost no reason to buy it straight from the manufacturer or full price on a website or in-store. You should always look for older models because in some cases, they actually function better and have more features. For instance, the newer iPhone 7 doesn’t come with a headphone jack, meaning you can’t plug in your traditional headphones. This could be a problem if you don’t have a Bluetooth headset, which is why the iPhone 6 is still so popular because it still has the headphone jack, it’s cheaper and it still functionals fine.
In other words, always do your research and don’t be afraid of buying refurbished or used. You could save a massive chunk of money and there are usually always guarantees that the product will still work, and if it doesn’t, you have a right to return it to the seller and claim your money back.
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha : A splurge worthy hotel that will satisfy your fantasies of far-flung Arabian luxury
Doha is a place filled with huge wealth and ridiculously over the top luxury experiences. It’s one of the favoured playgrounds of the rich elite and UHNWI’s (ultra high net worth individuals) in pursuit of the finer things in life.
There’s no point of coming to Doha and staying in a luxury hotel when you can experience a hotel that excels in ultimate luxury in one of Doha’s most sought after locations. Enter the Marsa Malaz Kempinski , The Pearl – a splurge worthy hotel for luxury seekers.
We wish we could adequately convey how luxurious this hotel is. As Arabia Food and Travel so eloquently puts it, the hotel is a ‘tribute to the luxury of days gone by, an architectural showpiece that reflects the traditional warmth of its Arabic heritage combined with the classical grace of European style’. The Marsa Malaz Kempinski sets the benchmark for luxury in Doha.
Idea
An ultra-luxury hotel on Doha’s iconic man-made island.
Location
With it’s gigantic horse and audacious opulence, The Marsa Malaz Kempinski is located on it’s own private man made Island with 150 meters of private beach. It’s location is like no other in the Middle East.
Atmosphere
Imagine if you will, a hotel of unabashed opulent luxury with unrivalled views over the Arabian gulf. An island of pure relaxation where you can can happily submit to letting others do everything for you. Require your luggage unpacked or a bubble bath drawn? Your butler will take care of that. Relaxing by the pool and need a new fluffy towel or a refill of you drink? Consider it done, by a smiling and happy attendant no less.
Here you can put aside all your cares in the world, knowing that you only have to eat, rest, maybe read a little, eat again, sleep and repeat. You could spend days here on the sun loungers in a sun stroked, semi conscious and blissful state. It’s a place to rest and play.
Rooms
The vast rooms, with their marble appointed bathrooms are all exquisite. We’re going to let the pictures below do the talking on this one and just say you’ll feel like royalty staying here – especially since they all come with a butler. Oh and that all rooms have a private balcony or terrace where you can enjoy the sea breeze.
Amenities
This is a high class island that offers the best everything. Think outdoor swimming pools, water sport facilities, a yacht jetty, tennis courts, more first class restaurants than most English cities. If you don’t want to leave during your stay don’t have to, the hotel provides everything and more that you will ever need or want.
Food
The Marsa Malaz Kempinski has become a culinary destination in it’s own right. Think world class, award winning chefs creating an array of mouth watering dishes from cuisines all over the world. In the mood for simple Italian food, Japanese artistry, Pan-latin or maybe some Iberian? This hotel has it all.
In the Know
The Marsa Malaz Kempinski have also made brunch a thing in Doha. Make sure you make time to celebrate the weekend at one of the hotels 5-star brunch experiences (would you expect anything less). We love the Thursday BBQ brunch at Amwage – think delicious grilled meats and sweet treats. The Toro Toro brunch is equally good, offering a selection of Pan Latin favourites as well as Toro Toro’s signature mouth-watering churrasco grill.
Why Go
There’s no point in trying to pretend otherwise, the Marsa Malaz Kempinski is the most luxurious hotels we’ve ever come across. It’s the perfect luxury travel choice. Staying here is pure, exquisite, flawless luxury. If you’re looking for exceptional surroundings, exquisite food and exemplary service in Doha, then look no further.
IDEAL Magazine flew to Qatar with Qatar airways and stayed as a guest of the Marsa Malaz Kempinski
For more information on Qatar please visit:www.qatartourism.gov.qa
For more information on Qatar Airways please visit:www.qatarairways.com
Beetroot Risotto. Bright in colour and delicious in flavour. This vibrant recipe by G’NOSH is absolutely fantastic
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4-6 people)
500g fresh whole beetroot
G’NOSH Beetroot & Mint dip
2 tbsp olive oil
Knob of butter
1 large onion , finely chopped
1 garlic clove , finely chopped
500g risotto rice
250ml white wine
600ml of hot vegetable stock
Handful of grated Parmesan
4 tbsp soured cream (or use crème fraiche)
Handful chopped flat parsley
METHOD
Peel and dice the whole fresh beets into quarter wedges. Roast on 175 deg for 20minutes.
When beets are cooked dice into small 1cm cubes.
Melt the butter in a saucepan and cook the onion until softened, together with garlic. Add in the risotto rice and stir until well coated and avoid rice sticking to pot.
Pour over the vermouth and cook, stirring until almost fully absorbed. Add a ladleful of the stock to the rice and once again, stir until almost fully absorbed.
Continue adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, until the rice is tender and creamy. You may not need all of the stock.
Stir through a tub of G’NOSH Beetroot & Mint dip. This gives a further depth in colour, richness in flavor and a kick.
Remove from the heat and mix in the grated Parmesan and flat parsley, gently stirring to mix through.
TO SERVE
Serve on a white plate. Add dollop of sour cream or crème fraiche on the top with cracked pepper.
You may want to sprinkle some more Parmesan or even crumble
Trying to be fashionable and look good can be an absolute nightmare. What to wear? What style of clothing suits your figure? What type of accessory works with your outfit? The list of questions are endless. To try and help answer your fashion queries, the chic and affordable online shop Avenue A, shares their top ten fashion tips that every lady should know…
TAKE CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES
Taking good care of your wardrobe collection will keep things looking newer for longer and in turn keep you looking freshly turned out every time. Having a good dry cleaner for those dreaded “dry clean only” pieces, and the right washing detergent for everything else (no fabric conditioner on knitwear- also, fold knits to keep their shape don’t hang them), protective spray and cleaner for shoes, shoe boxes, dust bags, spaced rails rather than crammed in all contribute to keeping everything as good as new.
REMEMBER THE COMFORT FACTOR
This doesn’t mean free-reign to wear hoodies and sweats everywhere, it means that if you feel uncomfortable in what you have on then no doubt you will look uncomfortable too. This goes for clothes and shoes.
Heels- if you wear them make sure they fit – not too tight they hurt and not too big they clunk & fall off your heel, and that you can walk in them properly! Wearing clothes too tight can make you feel, not to mention look all kinds of wrong, and clothes too baggy will never flatter your figure- enhance your shape don’t hide it! Feeling comfortable in yourself and your clothes makes you and your outfit look even better!
Remember that plenty of everyday outfits can look even more stylish with just the right sneakers that contribute to a leisurely, but chic, appearance. For example, try searching for a seller such as this one found on FastSole.co.uk or other similar sites. Always check reviews before making a purchase and make sure to find a reputable retailer with a good return policy. That way, if the sneakers don’t fit quite right, you can easily send them back.
WEAR THE RIGHT UNDERWEAR
Wearing the right underwear makes a bigger difference than you may realise. My hard fast rules to cover all eventualities are: nude underwear with white clothes (always- no exceptions!), thongs to avoid VPLs, shapewear to give you a sleek silhouette, the correct bra- plunge, balconette, push-up to suit the neckline of your top or dress, and the right fabric for what you’re wearing- lace under tighter clothes may look a bit uneven whereas plain will keep it smooth. And, for an added confidence boost wearing a matching set puts a nice spring in your step!
SIZE MATTERS
This may sound like an obvious one but it’s amazing how many women don’t wear the right size clothes. The solution- don’t be so focused on the number in the size label, just try things on! Clothes sizes vary dependant on the retailer, brand, and even style and fabric so there’s no harm in picking different sizes and trying them on or asking a sales assistant for their advice on fit. Even online retailers offer a fit description, or advice service and if not most returns are so simple now that you can easily send back what isn’t right.
KNOW YOUR BODY
Nobody knows your body better than you do so trust yourself! Dressing for your body is so important and that includes your shape, size, height and skin tone. Necklines, waistbands, colours and leg lengths all come in to play here. Be aware of what accentuates your good points and disguises those insecurities that we all have. For example: a more scooped neckline will flatter a bigger chest better than a high neck; opting for a higher waistband will smooth out any lumps and bumps around your middle and avoid a “muffin top”.
Always buy jeans with rear pockets no matter what your size, no pockets = spread, pockets = shape. Cropped trousers, midi dresses and skirts all cut at the widest part of your lower leg making calves look bigger, shoes with ankle straps also emphasise larger legs and can make you look shorter. If you’re quite fair be wary of some colour shades that may make your skin look sallow. It’s best to experiment till you find what is right for you.
PROPORTIONS ARE KEY
Getting the right top to bottom proportion is key to having a well put together look. Fitted and fitted go well together but the same can’t be said for loose and baggy. If you have a loose fitting top team it with slimmer more fitted bottoms such as skinny jeans, jeggings, leggings or even shorts or a fitted mini skirt if these latter styles are right for your shape. And vice versa for the loose fitting bottoms- pair with a more form fitting top.
DON’T ALWAYS FOLLOW TRENDS
Don’t feel under pressure to follow and copy all of the latest fashion trends exactly. Trends are there to guide you in your style choices each season, but not all aspects of all the trends are suitable for everyone, and that’s OK! Be selective and pick what flatters you and complements your natural style. Trends come and go but you’ll always have your own personal style!
HAVE SOME STAPLE PEICES
Every woman’s wardrobe should have key staple pieces in it to build from. My choices would be: jeans, plain t-shirt, fine knit cardi (draped to make it more versatile to tie and wear), a blazer, LBD, plain dressed up top and smart trousers (not necessarily tailored) or skirt whichever is your preference. Shoes- ballet pumps, nude peep-toe heels and black boots. With these you can create virtually any look by mixing the pieces together and adding different accessories, which takes me to my next tip….
ALWAYS ACCESORISE
If you don’t normally like to take risks with fashion but like the idea of adding some colour or something different to your outfit then do it with carefully chosen accessories; a handbag, belt, statement necklace or fabulous shoes can all liven up any outfit on their own and complement it as the perfect finishing touch. This is also a great way of taking an outfit from day to night time; just switch up your accessories!
SMILE
“You’re never fully dressed without a smile” this is so true! Smiles are infectious, they give everyone a little boost. Looking and feeling happy will change your appearance and give you a glow that money can’t buy, so get smiling.
With the amount of gym memberships slowly increasing every year since 2000, it’s clear to see more people than ever before are relying on the gym for their exercise fix. From the variety of equipment to the motivational atmosphere, the gym can be an enticing environment for many wanting to maintain or improve their fitness levels.
But, with women statistically more likely to quit the gym than men, it’s high time active women got their mojo back and started enjoying going to the gym again. And what better way to motivate you to stick with the gym? A brand-new gym bag of course! If you’re looking to inject some much-needed style into your gym gear to ensure you never forget any of your exercise essentials, read on to discover some handy options.
Hands-free
For years the trusty backpack was considered bulky and unfashionable, even in the exercise world. But backpacks are back with a style vengeance, able to carry all your essentials whilst leaving your hands completely free for added convenience.
Often featuring useful pockets both in and outside the bag for easy access, you can be rest assured all your quick-fix post-gym makeup essentials and hair ties will all have their own space to make sure they don’t get lost when the time comes for touch ups. Featured in an almost endless array of colors and styles, the humble backpack certainly isn’t to be ignored for gym-goers!
Duffel bags
Probably the best option for those who like to have a choice of fitness-wear and some of their own exercise gear with them, duffel bags are a tried-and-tested favorite among active women. Often boasting an array of straps allowing you to carry the bag in whichever position is most comfortable, duffel bags provide the perfect balance of both style and space.
For more information, take a look at some detailed reviews of gym bags for women to discover what duffel bags really have to offer.
Totes
For a classier, more ‘put-together’ look, a tote bag is the perfect option. Ideal for those who need to be somewhere important right after their gym session and still want their clear bag to look classy and elegant, the tote bag is a sure-fire winner.
Often providing a little more open space than a backpack, totes are brilliant for carrying slightly larger items like dry shampoo, hair brushes, and even a hairdryer if your gym doesn’t provide such facilities. Still likely to feature useful zipped pockets inside, you’ll still have a place for your smaller essentials with a tote.
If you ever feel yourself suddenly lacking in motivation to exercise and go to the gym, try treating yourself to a stylish new gym bag and see if you notice a difference. Offering an array of styles to suit virtually any taste, today’s modern-day gym bags are designed with style, comfort, and space in mind to ensure you continue to maintain your fitness levels and enjoy going to the gym once more.
When you’re working full time, it can be difficult to stay on top of things at home. If you’re a pet owner, it’s even harder. There’s nothing worse than coming home to a misbehaving dog and having to spend your evening tidying up after him/her.
If your life is being controlled by your dog and you don’t know how to take it back, try these 4 solutions.
House Rules
Professionals must create a home environment that is warm and minimises stress. This is an essential element of any successful household. When bringing a dog into the family, families should first discuss and agree on the house rules. Topics should agree on furniture rules, range of the house, and dog chores, just to name a few.
Setting rules will immediately give the dog a consistent message of what is allowed in the home, and what isn’t. It’s a way to ensure that the home is an environment that minimises stress for the homeowners and the dog. When a rescue is involved, this is especially important because they are then corrected less often and will feel more loved and praised.
Training
As a busy professional, the process will go beyond house training. It will include obedience training to meet your lifestyle and possibly crate training. This exercise must begin the moment the puppy arrives at home. The demand for this is high and there are now many dog trainers who specialise in obedience who can help you control how your pet behaves.
Obedience training is also vital to helping everyone get along. We sometimes need a few minutes after work to catch up with loved ones and simply relax. Dogs won’t be able to understand “give me a minute”. Establishing simple commands and using them before getting angry or frustrated can help maintain the peace and love in your family.
The first tool for house training is patience because the process could take a while. Day crate training can be a support tool for house training, as well as adding security by establishing a den-like substitute for the puppy as a safe, warm location. It will also minimise the frustration of coming home to a huge cleaning task after a long day at the office.
Schedules
The new family member may not like being alone. Like a new baby, they will need schedules to help them with training. Parents should set schedules for food and water, as well as the puppy relief schedule. Developing a feeding routine will help your puppy body develop a refuse schedule. In your schedule, you should be ready to give them attention as soon as you get home if they are 8 months or older, and they should have provisions such as a training pad for younger puppies.
The Unexpected
An essential tool for new dog parents to have is to be prepared for the unexpected. Puppies may rebel against being home alone or just not getting their way like a human child. When you have a rescue, they may play up because of past trauma in their life. The most effective support for your family is to employ a dog behaviourist.
When you’re getting a new dog, the key is to prepare yourself and your home before they arrive. Know the rules you want to set and how you wish to train them. Once they arrive, it’s down to you (and the help of a trainer) to bring them up with the right set of behaviours.
