Olive Oil

German scientists asked volunteers to eat yogurt with different added fats every day for three months. Those who had eaten olive oil had higher blood levels of serotonin, the hormone that makes us feel full. Amazingly when they switched the oil for olive aroma, they had the same results.

Good Housekeeping August 2013

Perfume Tips

Where - and where not - to apply perfume.

• Only spray onto wrists, elbows and collarbone. (Don't dab behind the ears - sebum producing glands in this area will alter the scent.)
• Avoid spritzing fragrance on skin that will be exposed when you go out in the sun as it may cause patchy pigmentation. 
• Don't spray on your cleavage - perfume contains alcohol which is an astringent and in the long term will cause skin to go crepe-y.

Making perfume last longer

• Apply your scent in the nude as soon as you've dried off from your shower and before putting on your clothes. Your body heat will intensify the base notes of the fragrance, so the sooner you apply it the better.
• Matching body creams moisturize skin and help prevent scents from evaporating too quickly. Apply it after you've put on your perfume.
• Avoid mixing perfume with other scents. Use either unscented soaps, deodorants and talcum powders, or use matching perfume and toiletries.
• Rub a small amount of Vaseline on to the areas where you apply your perfume. This will help the scent cling to your skin, making it last twice as long. As we age, our skin gets drier and our natural oils can't fix scent as efficiently.

Which and How much perfume to use

• As you get older, avoid heavy, fruity fragrances and sweet vanilla combinations.
• Update your fragrance with a new version of an old favourite. Perfume houses update their fragrances for a more modern scent. (An example is Eau Premiere, the younger 'sister' of Chanel No5.)
• Don't use too much - perfume overload is an age betrayer. Our sense of smell is less acute as we get older - you may think your perfume doesn't last as it used to or smell like it did - but other people will be able to smell it.
• Don't spray clothes with perfume - you'll only get the raw top-notes. The full scent is released in interaction with the skin.

Has your perfume changed?

• Your scent may really have changed. In the past 20 years, many classic fragrances have been subtly altered to compensate for ingredients that the International Fragrance Association has either banned or restricted as potentially carcingenic.
• Life changes - divorce, bereavement, new job, pregnancy - can make you want to change your regular scent. Perhaps it now feels too heavy, or just not right for you.

Good Housekeeping (various issues)

Restrict Buying 'Free' App Extras

It's easy for youngsters playing 'free' games and apps to accidentally buy extras if you've stored your card details to make purchases yourself. When they come across new levels and extra lives, for example, all they have to do is click to buy. But you can protect against this.

Apple: Go to Settings, then General, then Restrictions. Press Enable Restrictions and you'll be asked to create a PIN. Turn off In-App Purchases (see the Allowed Content section) or set it so you have to put in the PIN before buying.

Android: Open the Google Play store and choose Settings. Select Set or Change PIN, and you be asked to choose a pin to be entered before buying when using any apps.

Kindle Fire: Instructions can be found on the Amazon website under Kindle Support.

GH Tip: Make sure the PIN you select for this function is different from the one you use to access the device itself.

Good Housekeeping August 2013

Walnuts

Walnuts are unique among nuts because they contain the same heart healthy omega 3 fats found in oily fish. They may also help protect against type 2 diabetes.

Easing Stress

The Micro Break
For a few seconds, close your eyes, unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders (let them drop towards the floor) and breathe out loudly. You can do it for longer but bear in mind that it's more effective to have several short breaks than one long one.

Release Your Anger
Stand up, take a cushion, close your eyes and imagine you are putting all your anger / tensions / annoyance into the cushion. Then breathe out loudly while throwing the cushion at the floor. Repeat twice more. On the third time, keep your eyes closed and experience your feelings. When you are ready, breathe out, rub your hands and open your eyes.

Goldfish Breathing
To release tension and energise the body, breathe in through the nose and open your mouth as wide as is comfortable. Exhale slowly and gently until the lungs are completely empty, and allow the inhale to come naturally. Breather normally for a few minutes, then repeat the 'open mouth' breath again. Do this four or five times, opening the jaw a little wider each time. 

Happy Thoughts
Think of your happiest memory and visualise every detail - the place, sounds, smells and colours. Keep this at the forefront of your mind as you relax.

Good Housekeeping issue August 2013