Gardening Gloves

There are a whole range of gardening gloves available but it can be difficult to find just the right pair for you. Perahps you find rubber gloves uncomfortable or are allergic to them and the canvas and leather ones too clumsy for many tasks.

Ursula Buchan recommends Atlas Nitrile gardening gloves, "as sensitive as rubber gloves but breathable and easier to get on and off".

From: Back to the Garden by Ursula Buchan (Frances Lincoln Ltd, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-7112-3017-0)

Ten Minute Gardening

Keep a bucket by the back door to use whenever you have a spare 10 minutes. This is enough time to do some spot weeding or to tie in new shoots.

The bucket should contain a handfork, a kneeling pad and garden gloves for weeding, plus string and a knife for tying in.


From: Back to the Garden by Ursula Buchan (Frances Lincoln Ltd, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-7112-3017-0)

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance means the body cannot easily digest lactose, a type of natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is due to the lack of the enzyme lactase,which the body needs to digest lactose, in the digestive tract. When lactose moves through the large intestine without being properly digested, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, belly pain, and bloating.

Lactose intolerance is common in adults. It occurs more often in Native Americans and people of Asian, African, and South American descent than among people of European descent. It is thought that original human populations did not retain the ability to make the enzyme lactase after childhood. Subsequently populations that began herding milk producing mammals, favoured individuals with genetic mutations that meant lactase was produced in adulthood.

Lactose intolerance most commonly runs in families, and symptoms usually develop during the teen or adult years. Additionally, sometimes the small intestine stops making lactase after a short-term illness such as the gastric flu or food poisoning or as part of a lifelong disease such as cystic fibrosis.

Although lactose is present in cow, goat and sheep milk, there is a difference. Goat and sheep milk does not contain as much lactose and is coated in vitamin K; this coating means that it is passed through the gut and does not remain there, allowing easy passage through the large intestine, without giving the reaction that cows' milk can give. Goat milk is also higher in calcium and lower in cholesterol than cows' milk.

Some people with lactose intolerance can take small amounts of lactose without showing symptoms (e.g. some lactose is present in some tablet medications, including birth control pills). These people amy be able to eat cow's milk yoghurt, as the process of turning milk into yoghurt uses bacteria that convert lactose to lactic acid, thus greatly reducing the amount of lactose present. 


Various sources

Paper Tissue on Clothes

We've all done it - put something in the washing machine without checking the pockets. Out it comes (and the rest of the wash too) covered in little flecks of white paper tissue. If this happens, do the following:

Pull on a pair of rubber gloves and rub your hands over each piece of clothing. The tissue will clump together and is more easily removed.

Eye Care

We use more products nowadays around our eyes, but we need to take care that we do not damage our eyes in the process.

Itchy, sore eyes can be caused by too much anti-ageing cream. These products prmote faster regeneration of skin cells, but too much close to the eye can cause a build up of skin on the edges of the lid. The ducts on the top and bottom eyelids become blocked and people can develop a condition called blepharitis. Worryingly, people have also glued their eyelid to their eyeball when attaching false eyelashes.

• Don't use eye cream too close to the edge of your eyelid.
• Apply eyelash glue carefully.
• Gently wipe the area with a solution of water, baby shampoo and half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

Red-eye relief. Dry eyes can be caused by windy days, age, computer use, certain medications or menopausal hormone changes.

• Use a warm compress over your eyes for about 10 mins. A flannel soaked in boiled water (cooled to warm) will do.
• Take regular breaks from computers. Staring at a screen causes us to blink less often, which can lead to eye irritation.
• Use artificial tears to help lubricate the surface of your eyes, but use preservative free solutions because they are less likely to cause irritation themselves, especially if you use them several times a day. Try Hycosan Original, available from pharmacies, which can be used with contact lenses.

Sources: London Eye Hospital consultant in Good Housekeeping 2013 and feature in Good Housekeeping September 2017

Hot Flushes

The menopause is the point in a woman's life when the ovaries stop functioning and menstrual periods cease, resulting in decreasing levels of oestrogen being produced by the body. This in turn causes a variety of symptoms, in varying degrees of severity.

Hot flushes are a common symptom thought to rise indirectly from lower oestrogen levels, which affect a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates temperature, sweating and flushing. As the menopause approaches these other systems can go awry, leading to hot flushes and night sweats.

Symptoms such as hot flushes may be hereditary: around 1 in 4 women have no significantly troublesome problems, 1 in 4 have severe symptoms and the other half have symptoms that can be coped with by tweaking their diet and making lifestyle changes.

For some, symptoms improve within a few months, but most women continue to have hot flushes for at least a year after the menopause, and 1 in 2 will continue to have flushes for as long as 5 years. Around 29% of women over 60 still experience some hot flushes, but eventually they will stop as the body and hypothalamus get used to lower oestrogen levels. Ways to minimise the flushes are:

• Keep active with regular exercise.
• Eat isoflavones found in: beans, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds (especially flaxseeds), fresh and dried fruits, and herbs (especially rosemary and sage).
• Try supplements - soy isoflavones, sage leaf tea, black cohosh.
• Stop smoking (it increases the risk of flushing).
• Eat little and often; the heat generated by digesting large meals can bring on or aggravate flushing.
• Avoid stress; the adrenal glands produce small amounts of oestrogen which drops during times of stress. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and breathing exercises can also help.
• Stay cool - hot rooms can aggravate flushing.
• Steer clear of triggers such as: alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks and high indoor temperatures.
• Avoid caffeine (in tea, coffee, cola and chocolate) - try decaff coffee.
• Wear layers of thin clothes you can take off when a flush strikes.
• Natural fibres (cotton and linen) are better for clothes and bed linen than synthetic fibres and silk, which can aggravate flushes.

3 August 2020 Update

Duvets are now being made with different tog levels for couples. 

• One such company is Nanu. The duvet is also eco-friendly with a hollow fibre filling made from recycled plastic bottles. (Review in Daily Mail 29 Sept. 2019.)

Source: various.

Hayfever Tips

If you suffer from hayfever caused by grass, tree and other plant pollens, you'll know only too well about never ending sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes. Apart from taking antihistamine medication, there are a few things you can do to reduce your symptoms.

• Add a dap of petroleum jelly at the edge of your nostrils. This traps some of the pollen from entering your nose, so lessening the amount you inhale.
• After being outside, pollen will cling to your clothes, skin and hair. So take a shower, wash your hair and change your clothes.
• Blow your nose regularly to expel pollen.

Good Housekeeping July 2013

During the hay fever season it may also help to avoid apples, tomatoes and stoned fruit (e.g. plums, apricots, etc) which interact with pollen and make symptoms worse.

Source not recorded.

Shisha (Waterpipe) Risks

The number of nightclubs and bars offering waterpipe (shisha pipe, hookah or hubble bubble) smoking has risen dramatically in recent years, but many people do not realise the health risks involved.

The World Health Organization says that one hour smoking a shisha pipe is as toxic as smoking 100 cigarettes. The British Heart Foundation says that the smoker inhales the equivalent of a whole cigarette in every puff, with the tobacco containing nicotine, tar, carbob monoxide and heavy metals such as arsenic and lead.

Even tobacco-free shishas will expose the smoker to carbon monoxide and toxins. Fruit and herbal flavours do not mean the product is healthy, either.

Shisha smokers are at risk of the same diseases as cigarette smokers, which include heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and problems during pregnancy.

Good Housekeeping July 2013

Eczema

Researchers at Bath University found that aqueus cream may actually make eczema worse. The product is intended as an alternative to soap, and GPs often prescribe it as a moisturiser.

Research showed that the cream thins the skin because it contains a detergent as well as moisturisers. The detergent is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a fairly heavy-duty but also cheap detergent which is used to mix the oils to form a creamy texture. SLS is also widely used in shower gels and cosmetics.

For eczema it is therefore preferable to use oil-based ointments. The E45 range does not contain SLS.

Research at Bath University, 2010

Trouble Swallowing Tablets

Some medication tablets and capsules are rather large these days. It may help if you place them lengthways on your tongue.

If you have trouble swallowing them, try washing them down with water from a bottle with a sports cap. The way you drink from the narrow top automatically makes your throat funnel shaped, which means the pills slip down more easily.

Good Housekeeping.

Cut Risk of Alzheimer's

High blood pressure and cholesterol levels increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in later life. Exercise, an appropriate weight for your height and a healthy diet will help keep the levels to normal levels, but if you already have raised levels, follow your GP's advice and/or treatment to reduce the levels.

Don't be inactive. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 20 per cent. Exercise has lots of benefits - it helps promote the regeneration of connections between nerve cells as well as protecting your heart.

Good Housekeeping July 2013

Heat Rash

Heat rash (or prickly heat or miliaria) is common in babies but can also affect adults, especially in hot, humid weather. It occurs when your sweat ducts (commonly referred to as pores) become blocked and perspiration is trapped under your skin. Symptoms range from superficial blisters to deep, red lumps. Some forms of heat rash can be intensely itchy or cause a prickly feeling.

Heat rash usually goes away on its own. Severe forms of heat rash may need medical care, but the best way to relieve symptoms is to cool your skin and prevent sweating. Here are some tips.

• Avoid scratching.
• Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
• Apply 100% aloe vera gel to the affected area about 1 hour before bed to help you sleep.
• Do not use greasy creams that may block the sweat glands.
• Try taking stinging nettle extract supplements: they are rich in quercetin, which is known to inhibit the release of histamine in the body, the chemical that causes rashes and itching. Plus they don't cause drowsiness and are safe for most people - except those taking diuretics.

Vary Shoe Height

It is not good to wear the same height shoes all day long and every day, as this can lead to knee, ankle and calf strain. It is good to challenge you body and keep it in good conditionby making it adapt.

For example, wear trainers on the way to work, shoes with a small heel in the office, trainers to walk home, bare feet in the house and higher shoes if going out in the evening.

Sammy Margo, chartered physiotherapist
Good Housekeeping July 2013

Raspberries

Raspberries are easy to grow and ideal for family fruit and veg plots. Surplus crops? Freeze or make into jam.

Summer-cropping types fruit in July on stems (known as 'canes') that  grew the previous summer. Each year the previous year's old fruited canes are cut out, leaving the new canes to grow on through the winter. They usually require some form of support - stakes or post and wire.

Autumn-fruiting types (also known as 'primocanes') fruit in the autumn on canes produced earlier in the year, and are really easy to grow, requiring no staking or support. If planted in spring, they will usually fruit in their first autumn. After cropping, cut the stems down to the ground; new canes will grow in the spring. With a little pruning you can get two crops in one year: leave the fruited canes over winter, then remove the top part of the cane in early spring, just below where the fruits were produced the previous autumn. These shorter canes will then produce berries in early summer. After fruiting, cut the canes to the base to allow space for young stems to come up, which will produce more fruits a few months later.

All raspberries prefer an open, sunny position and moist but well-drained soil, but will produce fruit in less than perfect conditions. After planting, cover the soil around the plants with well-rotted manure or homemade compost. Add a dose of liquid seaweed feed if the leaves start to yellow as the plants mature. Cover with netting to prevent birds getting them first. After ten or more years in the same place, crops will be lighter as the soil is exhausted, so move the plants to a new position.

Primocane varieties:

• Autumn Bliss: well-known, reliable variety.
• Allgold: unusual golden berries that crops at the same time as Autumn Bliss.
• Heritage: large red berries appear later in autumn and may need covering with fleece in some areas.
• Polka: reliable, heavy cropper with sweet, tasty fruit in early autumn.

Garden centre or nursery magazine? 2014.

Sunshine

More sunlight means:

• Higher levels of serotonin in the body, which suppresses hunger and allows us to eat less in warmer weather.
• Higher levels of the sleep enhancing hormone melatonin at night.
• Higher levels of Vitamin D, which our bodies make from sunlight and use for a number of functions, including our immune system.

Levels of sunlight in the UK vary during the year. During a sunny summer sunlight levels are high enough to make the amount of Vitamin D we need and tide us over the grey days. In a wet and grey summer and the period between October and April, sunlight is not strong enough in the UK to make the daily amount our bodies need.

• Go out in the sun without sunscreen for 10 to 15 minutes a day. This is enough time for your body to make Vitamin D but not long enough for you to burn.
• You can't overdose on vitamin D from the sun - when your body has what it needs, any extra is broken down.
• Take Vitamin D3 supplements on grey summer days and daily from October to April.
• If worried you are at high risk of skin cancer (for instance a combination of very pale skin and having been burnt many times in the past) then don't go out without sunscreen and take a daily dose of vitamin D.

Sunbathe safely - know your SPF level
Fair/light skin: Moderate sun (UK) SPF20 ~~ Hot (The Med)  SPF30  ~~ Very Hot (US/Aus/Africa) SPF 40
Skins that tans easily: Moderate sun (UK) SPF15  ~~ Hot (The Med)  SPF25  ~~ Very Hot (US/Aus/Africa) SPF 30-40
Black/Asian skin: Moderate sun (UK) SPF15 ~~ Hot (The Med)  SPF15-25  ~~ Very Hot (US/Aus/Africa) SPF 25-40

[Good Housekeeping July 2013]

 

Don't Plant Together

When growing any vegetable crop, nearby plants can affect yields by competing for the same nutrients, so try to avoid the following combinations.

• Spring onions and shallots avoid peas, beans and parsley
• Leeks avoid peas and beans
• Coriander avoid fennel
• Lettuce avoid celery, brassicas and parsley
• Spinach beet, chard and spinach avoid beans
• Beetroot avoid beans
• Carrots avoid parsnips, radishes and dill
• Peas avoid onions and potatoes
• Beans (runner, broad and French) avoid tomatoes, peppers, onions, brassicas and beetroot

Watch your water usage (1)

The wet winter of 2013 - 2014 may have put all thoughts of drought out of your heads, but we still need to be responsible about our water usage. So here are some tips on saving water.

•  Fill your kettle with just the amount of water you need - this will save water and energy.
• A full washing up bowl uses 50 litres of water. While waiting for the tap to run hot, collect the surplus water and use this to water your plants or for cleaning.
• Dishwashers use around 15 litres of water per use, so make sure your dishwasher is full before switching it on - this will save water and energy.
• Washing machines on average use 50 litres of water per use. Wait until you have a full load and wash at 30 C if possible.
• Turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth. This could save around 6 litres each time.
• A bath uses on average 80 litres of water, so consider lowering the level or taking a shower.
• A five minute shower on average uses 50 litres of water. Try using a handy four minute shower timer to save energy and water. [A Wessex Water fun quiz at the 2015 Bath & West Show found that one in five people stay in the shower for more than 10 minutes!!]
• A water–efficient shower head which restricts the flow uses around 32 litres. But avoid power showers which use up to 74 litres more than a standard version.
• Flushing the loo can use 9 litres per use (dual flush 6 to 8 litres). If you don't have a dual flush, fitting a water saving device in your toilet cistern can save over a litre of water every time you flush.
• Use a bucket when cleaning your car. Hoses can use around 10 litres a minute.
• When you buy new appliances always look for water and energy efficient ratings.

The Origins of the British

The Origins of the British: a genetic detective story by Stephen Oppenheimer. 
[Published by Carroll & Graf (October 2006)]

A scientific detective story combining genetics, linguistics, archaeology and historical record demonstrates that the Anglo-Saxon invasions contributed just a tiny fraction (5%) to the English gene pool. Two thirds of the English people reveal an unbroken line of genetic descent from south-western Europeans arriving long before the first farmers. The bulk of the remaining third arrived between 7,000 and 3,000 years ago as part of long-term north-west European trade and immigration, especially from Scandinavia - and may have brought with them the earliest forms of English language. As for the Celts - the Irish, Scots and Welsh - history has traditionally placed their origins in Iron Age Central Europe. Oppenheimer's genetic synthesis shows them to have arrived via the Atlantic coastal route from Ice Age refuges including the Basque country; with the modern languages we call Celtic arriving later.

Beat Sugar Cravings

Come elevenses or mid-afternoon it's all too easy to have a biscuit. Here are some tips to help you falling into temptation too often.

Think positively: Studies have shown that 'I must not' statements have the opposite effect. Try positive statements instead: 'If I'm feeling hungry between meals, I'll have a healthy snack of an apple and some nuts' and you'll boost your resolve.

Surf the crave wave: Often a craving feels powerful and irrestistable and you feel it will never go away. Latest research shows that if you can hold out for 15 minutes, that feeling should disappear. Try distracting yourself by going online, walk to their desk to talk to a colleague, do a small chore or make a cup of herbal tea.

Re-train your taste buds: Give your taste buds time to adapt rather than going cold turkey. If you take three sugars in your tea, drop to two, then later to one and you can then go to zero without noticing the difference. Do the same with biscuits. Over time, the less refined sugar you give your body, the less you will crave it.

Think drink: Everyone feels a craving now and again, but before going straight to the biscuit tin, drink a glass of water. Often you are actually thirsty, not hungry, and this does the trick.

Use your imagination: Try imagining eating chocolate before you eat it. Picture biting into it, how it feels in the mouth and the taste, and you'll end up eating less as the brain feels you have already had some.

No crashes - no cravings: Spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels lead to cravings. So concentrate on packing breakfast, lunch and dinner with wholegrains, protein, beans and pulses, fruits, veg and nuts, which all release energy slowly and avoid the easy-to-digest processed carbs (e.g. sweet drinks, white bread, cakes) which lead to the blood sugar spikes.

Trick your senses: Smell the chocolate before eating it. New research shows you will eat less of it.

Book snack time: If you are genuinely hungry mid-afternoon, go for a small healthy snack. Make time at the weekend to plan and buy snack items, and list what you are having each day in your diary.

From bad to good: The best way to break a bad habit is to turn it into a good one. Replace sugary snacks with healthy ones, and write a big tick in your diary or on a chart every time you stick to the new habit.

Shed the guilt: Plan for damage limitation. If you really need something sweet, control how you respond. Try storing biscuits in an opaque container, and keep a couple wrapped up in another smaller container. You won't be tempted to open the big container and go crazy. When you do have that biscuit, sit comfortably, relax and enjoy it - then move on.

Mix it up: If you always have biscuits with a cup of tea, a strong association builds up between the two. The cup of tea then becomes the cue for a biscuit. To break the cue, try choosing a different drink, or a different time for your break or having the tea with lunch instead.

Prepare a mental shield: Prepare for temptation by thinking about how you will justify your actions when the craving strikes and prepare a counter-argument. If you are likely to think 'It's only a little piece of cake, it won't matter', then have ready an alternative 'No, I don't really need this and I'll feel worse after I eat it'.

Sleep well, eat well: Lots of studies show that sleep deprivation means more sugar cravings. So make sure you are well rested and you won't feel so tempted.

Good Housekeeping July 2013

Poor Sound on Flatscreen TVs

Flat screen TVs focus on being thin, not on how they sound. There isn't enough space inside for proper speakers. So you also need to buy soundbars, which are speakers that sit under your screen, to boost the sound.

In October 2013, some of the best were:

• Orbitsound SB60 airSOUNDBASE: Designed to have a TV sat on top of it. Speech is separated out from background music.
• Samsung HW-F750: Actually two boxes, a long thin soundbar and a squat wireless subwoofer that sends the lower notes directly into your floor. A warm, reassuring sound.
• Sonos Playbar: Doesn't come with a subwoofer so the sound is a bit harsh, but you can buy one separeately. You may also need a wireless 'bridge' if you aren't able to run a cable to your router.
• Bose CineMate: An expensive one, but sounds lovely, although it lacks the extra features of cheaper soundbars.

 Read the full report at radiotimes.com/soundbar

Doctor Digital in Radio Times 2013

Holiday Money

Be wise about money

• Get cash before you travel - only buy foreign money at an airport in an emergency.
• Try a currency card - load money in the currency you need and use it like a normal bank card. Top up from your bank account online, by phone or text.
• Always take some cash out with you in case you can't find a local ATM.
• Always use a debit card for cash withdrawals - especially abroad where charges can be higher. Make a few large withdrawals rather than several small ones.
• Do tell your card provider you are going abroad or they may mistake foreign spending for fraud and your card may be blocked.
• When paying by card, opt to pay in local currency to avoid sneaky extra charges.
• Travellers cheques are still used in large resorts and hotels (especially in the USA) but are not as easy to use as a currency card or cash card.

 Avoid scams

• Always use official taxi ranks and check the taxi has a license disc in the window.
• Tour reps pushing day trips and restaurants may be getting a cut from locals for passing on business. Ask other holidaymakers for their recommendations.
• Never change money with street vendors - they'll either flog you counterfeit money or shortchange you.
• Beware of fake plain-clothes 'policemen' who ask to see your documents, then do a runner with your ID. 

2016 advice: If you have a dispute with a trader in an EU country while abroad, call 01268 886690 or visit ukecc.net for help.

[Good Housekeeping July 2013 and July 2016]

Block Adverts

Try Adblock Plus. It blocks banners, pop-ups and video ads, even on facebook and YouTube. It's a free product with more than 200 million downloads.

It's available at: https://adblockplus.org/en

Phil Bradley in CILIP's Information Update.

Storing Cheeses

The best way to store cheese sold in sealed plastic wrappers is to remove the plastic wrapping as soon as possible. Then wrap in greaseproof or waxed paper and place in food bag but don't seal it completely.

More Too Much to Do?

Here are some more ideas for getting more organised.

• Put everything you need to deal with (could be work, household or fun) in your in-tray. If there is no paperwork, write a note for it.
• Go through each item and bin or file anything that doesn't need action, delegate where possible and deal at once with anything that will take less than two minutes to do.
• Put everything else on an 'actions' list. Write time sensitive actions (those that have a deadline) in your diary.
• For jobs with multiple parts, set up a project folder and put one task from it on your 'actions' list. 
• Review the list daily.

From Getting Things Done by David Allen.

Stop putting things off

•  Instead of setting yourself unrealistic targets, aim to do no more than 30 minutes of work at a time.
• Schedule sleep, meals, leisure and appointments in your diary and don't feel guilty about enjoying that time. 
• Don't schedule in work - it just creates stress. Only add it in after you have completed it, so you can record what you have achieved.
• Set a reverse calendar. Think back from the goal (a party, a wedding, an ambition) and set deadlines to the present.

From The Now Habit by Neil Fiore

[Both in a feature on self help books in Good Housekeeping July 2013]

Digital File Extensions

We probably all recognise the most common file extensions (.doc, .ppt, jpeg, etc) but there are thousands of different extensions around.

Try using Wolfram | Alpha. Put in the extension, with the full stop, and it will tell you what the full name is, the type and supporting applications.

Alternatively point your browser to: http://pc.net/extensions/ or www.file-extensions.org/

Phil Bradley in CILIP's Information Update.

Too Much To Do?

Life can get very busy, so how do we cope? Here are a few ideas.

• Prioritise: Choose three jobs each day that you must get done. Anything else you achieve that day is a bonus.
• Concentrate on one thing at a time: Multi-tasking is a myth - you are actually flipping from one task to another. Each time you switch activities, you brain takes a moment to catch up - which slows you down.
• Control your email checking: Only check emails twice a day. Keep replies to five sentences.

From The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

Successful people cultivate useful habits, such as the following:

• Get up early - you'll feel less rushed and less likely to forget things.
• Keep your phone charged.
• Watch the news - but only once a day.
• Schedule appointments (e.g. haircuts, dental appointments) well in advance and note in your diary or on your phone.
• Keep receipts and minutes of meetings or lists.
• Service things before they break rather than fix them when they go wrong.

From The Edge by Michael Heppel (he calls successful people 'Edgers')

[Both from a feature on self help books in Good Housekeeping, July 2013]