Rash Judgment: A 68-Foot-Long Poison Ivy Vine is a Guinness World Record Holder
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2023-06-14 01:20
How Did the Real YMCA React to the Disco Song About It?
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2023-06-14 01:20
Travelers Catch Break as US Airfares, Rental Car Prices Fall
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2023-06-14 00:52
'Avatar' and 'Star Wars' Fans Will Have to Wait Years to See Next Films
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2023-06-14 00:46
8 Granular Facts About Sand
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2023-06-14 00:23
Should you sleep naked? Heatwave myths debunked
It’s safe to say summer has officially started. Temperatures are now firmly above 25C across much of the UK, the sunshine is hotter, noses are stuffy and the air is muggy, sometimes making it difficult to sleep. Keeping cool in a heatwave is a priority – but it also gives rise to various theories and myths on how to achieve this… Sleeping naked cools you down Sleeping naked seems like the easiest and quickest way to cool your body temperature down after being out all day. But this isn’t necessarily the case, according to Abbas Kanani, a superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click Online Pharmacy. “Sweat collects on the body and remains there when we have no clothes on,” Kanani explained. “Although having less layers on the body can help you to feel more comfortable in the heat, wearing lightweight nightwear made from breathable fabrics helps draw sweat away from your body and makes you feel a lot cooler and more comfortable.” So what should you wear at night to keep cool? “Clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen are breathable and absorbent,” Kanani recommended. “They will soak the sweat up off your skin and they let air through, which cools you down.” People don’t die from heat in this country The UK sun can feel different compared to when you are sunbathing and drinking cocktails on a beach in Barcelona – but that can catch people out. “The biggest myth is that the weather in the UK isn’t hot enough to be dangerous,” said Dr Adam Staten, a clinical director at One Day Tests and NHS GP. “Whilst we don’t have that many really hot days, when it is hot, it can be fatal. For example, during the heatwave last summer, hundreds more people died than normal for that time in the year.” Staten suggests we overcomplicate things when trying to keep cool. “Most measures are really simple and include common sense measures like keeping curtains drawn, keeping windows open or taking cool showers or baths.” Sticking to hot drinks will keep you cool Who else thinks drinking tea or coffee in hot weather will cool you down? For Staten, “One myth that seems to come up a lot is that hot drinks are better for cooling you down than cold drinks. I think the evidence actually shows that it doesn’t really matter – as long as you are keeping hydrated, your drinks can be hot or cold.” Pharmacist Kanani agrees with that final point. “Hydration is vital for keeping cool in hot temperatures. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to stay hydrated. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages as they can contribute to dehydration.” You only need to wear sunscreen when the sun’s out Another common misconception is thinking that you can’t get sunburnt when it is cloudy outside. “This isn’t true,” Kanani said. “Although it’s less likely than when you’re out in full sunshine, clouds don’t block all of the sun’s UV rays.” It’s also why people either only apply sunscreen in the morning or none at all. “Many people think that when sunscreen is waterproof, it means they do not need to reapply it after swimming or sweating. It should be reapplied straight after you have been in water, towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off.” Sunburn is something to be careful of. Staten said: “It’s really common and can actually be very severe both in the short term and for the longer term risk of skin cancer.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 7 hay fever hacks to ease your symptoms this summer The pests you really don’t want invading your garden and how to deter them How to take care of your mental health at festivals
2023-06-13 22:51
Creative ice cream flavors could make this a sweet, savory, scoop-worthy summer
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2023-06-13 22:28
Everything You Need to Know to Start Grilling With Cedar Planks
A basic cedar wood plank is one the easiest ways to upgrade your grilling game.
2023-06-13 22:19
United’s CEO Sees Pilot Deal Adding Over $8 Billion in Costs
United Airlines Holdings Inc. is offering its pilots a contract with an incremental value in excess of $8
2023-06-13 21:57
7 hay fever hacks to ease your symptoms this summer
According to health officials, people sought advice for hay fever symptoms once every three seconds on Sunday. And today, the Met Office predicted the pollen count would be “very high” in most of England and Wales.Hay fever is usually at its worst between March and September – and right now, thousands of people affected are desperate for a solution to their pollen-induced runny noses, itchy eyes and tickly coughs, and other irritating symptoms. The hay fever pages on the NHS.uk website reportedly received 122,650 visits last week alone. So, what can you do to help with hay fever symptoms? 1. Don’t rub your eyes “Red, itchy, swollen eyes are often a real problem for hay fever sufferers,” explained pharmacist Sid Dajani, from Golden Eye Eye Care. “As tempting as it is, don’t rub your eyes. Clean them free of pollen frequently, with cotton lint and cold water, and treat the symptoms immediately with eye drops or eye ointment containing propamidine isetionate.”2. Don sunnies and keep your clothes cleanReducing your exposure to pollen, however possible, can really help. Dajani added: “Wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect your eyes when outside, and have a shower when you get in from work and put your clothes straight in the wash to help remove all pollen. It’s also best to avoid drying clothes outside.”3. Think about your diet What you eat may have an impact too. GP Dr Nisa Aslam suggested: “Stick to an anti-inflammatory diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, beans, grains and oily fish, whilst limiting processed food high in fat, sugar and salt. Look for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant herbs, like chamomile, ginger, nettle and turmeric. These can be consumed in the form of supplements or beverages.”4. Protect your nostrilsDr Adam Fox, allergist and advisor to Clarityn, said: “Pollen balms such as petroleum jelly rubbed around the rim of the nostrils can help trap pollen before it enters the nose, and salt water nasal sprays help rinse pollen particles out of the nose, preventing them from sitting in there and causing more symptoms.”5. Keep the windows shut As tempting as it may be to fling windows open at this time of year, Dijani said: “Keep windows, including car windows, and doors shut. Venture out as little as possible. Towns and cities are no more friendly to hay fever sufferers than the countryside, due in part to more extensive ‘greening’ of urban areas.” 6. Prepare for the pollen count Checking to see when the pollen is particularly high can help you prepare. “If you know you have symptoms every year, then it makes sense to be prepared in advance,” said Fox. “If you require a nasal spray, then starting to use it before the season starts will make it much more effective. For adults, these can be brought over the counter, whilst children will need a prescription.” 7. Stay in when the count is really high And if symptoms are still really getting to you? “Avoid going outside when the pollen count is at its highest – in the middle of the morning or the early evening,” said Dajani.
2023-06-13 20:52
BBQ salad recipes without a soggy lettuce leaf in sight
BBQs are just as much about the side dishes as they are the burgers and various grilled meats, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to serving soggy lettuce. These Maldon Salt salad recipes deliver on everything from a fresh and vibrant orange and carrot salad with halloumi, to a light but flavour-packed pasta salad. Or get your greens in with a steak salad with broccoli, parmesan, and a chilli and herb dressing. Orange and carrot salad with grilled halloumi This orange and carrot salad, paired with barbecue grilled halloumi creates the perfect salad for any summer dinner party. Ingredients: 2 Navel oranges 2 blood oranges 2 carrots 200g halloumi cheese 2 tbsp black olives 2 sprigs of fresh mint 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Maldon Salt 1 pinch of cumin Freshly ground black pepper Method: 1. Wash, dry and de-leaf the fresh mint. Set aside a few whole leaves and chop up the rest finely. Juice ½ a blood orange, filter out the excess bits/pips with a sieve, then season the juice with Maldon Salt and pepper. Add the olive oil, cumin and chopped mint and mix together well. Put this salad dressing in the fridge for later. 2. Cut the peel and pith away from the rest of the oranges with a very sharp knife until the pulp is completely clean. Cut each orange into segments and toss into a salad bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, finely shred the peeled carrots into the bowl, and add the olives and salad dressing together. 3. Chop the halloumi into thin slices, lightly brush with olive oil and then grill on the barbecue until golden on both sides. Serve together with the salad. Add a pinch of Maldon Salt for seasoning. Pasta salad The simple yet delicious pasta salad is easy to make, perfect for the hot summer months when craving for something light but packed full of flavour. Ingredients: 350g short pasta 150g cherry tomatoes 1 bag of mini mozzarella balls 16 black olives 8 anchovy fillets in oil 2 tbsp chopped toasted pistachios or pine nuts 16 capers ¼ medium red onion 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 sprigs of fresh basil with small leaves Maldon Salt Black pepper Method: 1. Wash, dry and chop the tomatoes into eighths, place them in a salad bowl and season with Maldon Salt and pepper. 2. Add the drained mozzarella balls, olives, capers and chopped onion and drizzle with olive oil. Drain the anchovies and add to the mix. Wash and dry the basil and then remove the leaves from the stem. 3. Cook the pasta al dente in plenty of salted water, according to the instructions on the packet, then drain and cool under cold running water. Once fully drained, mix the pasta in with the rest of the ingredients in the salad bowl. 4. To plate up, place the anchovies on top, sprinkle on the pistachios and basil leaves and serve at room temperature. Steak salad with purple broccoli, parmesan, and chilli and herb dressing A beautiful seared steak salad recipe paired with the best in season purple sprouting broccoli and broad beans. Ingredients: 400g sirloin steak 100ml plive oil, plus extra for frying A handful of chopped parsley A handful of chopped coriander 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 200g purple sprouting broccoli 150g broad beans, blanched 50g wild rocket 25g aged parmesan 20g toasted pine nuts A pinch of Maldon Salt Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C. 2. Begin by cooking the steak. Make sure your meat is out of the fridge 30 minutes before you want to cook it, so it has time to come up to room temperature. Get a frying pan or griddle pan on the heat get it to a nice high heat. Drizzle some olive oil onto your steak and season generously with Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Once the pan is nice a hot, place the meat in and allow it to sear and sizzle on one side first. Depending on the size of your steak this can take a good 5 minutes on each side. You want good, deep caramelization on all sides of the meat. 3. While the meat is cooking place the purple sprouting broccoli onto a baking tray and drizzle over some oil and a pinch of Maldon salt. Place the tray into the oven and roast the broccoli for 10-12 minutes until tender and starting to char slightly. 4. Once the steak is cooked to your liking – we’ve served it medium rare here – remove from the pan and leave it to rest on a chopping board. The resting time is key! It helps keep all the cooking juices to stay absorbed inside before slicing. 5. While your meat rests, prepare the rest of the salad. Place the olive oil in a small bowl and mix with the chopped parsley and coriander, the diced red chilli and some Maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Set this dressing aside. 6. On a large platter scatter over the wild rocket. Next top this with the roasted broccoli and the blanched broad beans. 7. The meat will be rested now, so carefully slice at a diagonal into thin slices. Place this over the salad. Any meat juices that are left on the board can be carefully poured into the bowl with the dressing ingredients. 8. Drizzle over the dressing, shave some parmesan across the top and sprinkle over toasted pine nuts. Give the whole salad a final pinch of Maldon salt and some cracked black pepper and then serve. Recipes from Maldon Salt. Find more at maldonsalt.com/recipes-tips-blog
2023-06-13 20:49
Millennial Money: How to use ChatGPT to plan your next trip
Artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT offer a novel way to research travel plans
2023-06-13 20:48