Evening Primrose

The seeds of the evening primrose (a US wildflower that looks like a giant buttercup) are especially rich in the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

This has long been thought to help people with eczema who have trouble converting fats from foods into GLA. In 2014, a pilot study of people with eczema backed up this theory.

Between 500 and 1,000 mg daily is thought best for preventative health.

April 2015

25 Life Hacks

Life Hacks are just simple ways to save you time, hassle and money.

1. Rub the inside edges of new shoes with Vaseline - it stops them rubbing and prevents blisters.
2. Use the sticky part of a Post-It note to clean between the keys of your keyboard.
3. Cut the ends off flowers and dip into boiling water to make them last longer.
4. Use an empty plastic bottle to separate eggs. Crack the egg into a bowl, put an upside down empty plastic bottle over the yolk and watch it get sucked up inside.
5. A spritz of hairspray removes ink and permenent marker from hard surfaces.
6. Use toothpaste to clean hazy car headlights. It works on swimming goggles too.
7. No eggtimer? Get Google to do the job by typing 'set timer (XX) minutes/seconds' in the search bar.
8. Hang a tennis ball on a piece of string from the ceiling of your garage at the exact point you can drive without bumping into the wall.
9. Stretch a rubber band from top to bottom around an open paint tin to wipe your brush on and keep paint off the side of the tin.
10. Remove chewing gum from an item of clothing by putting it into the freezer for an hour, then pick off the gum.
11. Iron shirts from the inside to make pressing the button area easier.
12. Stack your folded clothes vertically in a drawer so you can see them all.
13. Fill a water bottle a quarter full and freeze on its side. Then fill with water and have it ice cold on the go.
14. Know the 9 times table trick? Hold out both hands, put down the digit you want to multiply 9 by, and count the total number of thumbs/fingers still up. For example, hold down 5th finger of left hand and there are 4 digits to the left and 5 to the right, so the answer is 45. (9x5 = 45).
15. To remove a cherry stone, use a straw to push it out.
16. A small dish of bicarbonate of soda in a wardrobe will absorb extra moisture and keep clothing fresh and dry.
17. If you want to conserve a phone battery, turn the screen brightness down, close any apps running in the background that you don't need, and turn off 3G/4G as these all sap power.
18. Kill weeds in paving by pouring boiling water on them.
19. Fill a bowl with water, pop in half a lemon and microwave for two to three minutes. The steam will loosen any dried food particles for easy microwave cleaning and the lemon makes the oven smell really fresh.
20. Use a clothes peg to hold a nail in place while hammering.
21. Use a strand of spaghetti as a taper for candles and avoid burned fingers.
22. Tangled jewellery? Keep thin chains knot-free by threading them through drinking straws, then fastening.
23. Use a slice of white bread to remove grimy marks from non-washable wallpaper.
24. To keep CDs from skipping, clean with car wax, dry and buff outwards from the centre.
25. Freeze grapes to chill white wine without watering it down.

Feature in Good Housekeeping September 2014

UK Fixed Term Parliaments

The Fixed term Parliaments Act of 2011 specified a 5 year term unless:

(a) there is a vote of no confidence
(b) 2/3 of total membership (including any vacant seats) vote to call an election sooner.

Ministers also increased the amount parties and candidates can spend by 23% (!!!!!), against Electoral Commission advice.

Various sources

Foot Care

The skin on feet can suffer from fungal infections, which thrive in warm, moist, airless environments; so many people are affected in winter, as they keep their feet cosy in warm socks.

• Fungal nail infections don't usually cause pain or other symptoms, but your toenails become thick and discoloured. They often start with on nail and spread to others. They can be hard to clear up as they require regular treatment and a cure can take up to six months with a medicated lacquer or tablets.
• If the skin between your toes is scaly, you may have athlete's foot. This can lead to cracking and soreness. Antifungal cream and/or powders usually work well.
•  If you have a fungal foot infection, keep a towel to yourself and don't walk barefoot, even in the bedroom or bathroom (and especially in communal changing rooms.
• Keep your feet cool and dry in votton socks and leather shoes. Dry really carefully between the toes to cut the chance of infections recurring.

Good Housekeeping, January 2015

Ten-minute Money Moves

Smart and speedy 10-minute tactics to help you take hold of your finances.

• Register for online banking. Make payments quickly, check you balance more regularly and stay on top of things. Simpley apply on your bank's website and fill in a few personal details.
• Change bank accounts. Switching current accounts takes up to seven days but it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to apply. Grab your address details, information on salary and other income sources, and current banking details. After that, thanks to simple switching rules, the banks will do the legwork for you.
• Check your council tax band. These were set in 1991 based on house values at the time (2003 in Wales), so there is room for error. Check what band you are in through the Valuation Office Agency in England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors Association in Scotland, and then ask a neighbour in a similar property if they are in the same band. If their band is lower, you may be able to make a claim. Go to goodhousekeeping.co.uk/how-to-claim-council-tax
• Shred some paperwork. Ditch any bank statements and financial paperwork that is more than a year old. Shred or rip it up if it contains your name or any financial details. If you are self-employed, the tax man recommends that you keep records for five years, but this need not be hard copy. Back up the info digitally, then shred.
• Get into the eBay habit. Got bags of unwanted possessions still around that you want to sell on eBay? Pick the one item most likely to sell, and post it online. It's very easy - take some snaps, then use the (free) app on your smartphone or tablet to start selling.
• Money Dashboard app. Free to download from the Apple and iPlay stores, it synchs to your bank accounts so you can check you balance. The graphs showing spending types and trends are useful - if a little alarming if you've been on a spending spree.
• Tip N Split app. A simple, free tip calculator for iPhone and Android. You could use a calculator but this app is faster at working out amounts per person, and the total and per person tip. Great when abroad too - for example in the US, where tax is charged on the meal as well as service.
• Go through your purse. Have a rifle for credit and store cards you no longer use. It's a useful prompt to contact creditors of cards you want to close.
• Tot up your loyalty points. Around 24% of us lose these benefits because we let them expire. Check your points value online at boots.com, nectar.com and tesco.com/clubcard/ or ask in store next time you are in the shop.
• Write your will. Some 56% of UK adults do not have a will. Use the Law Society's online tool (solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk) to find a solicitor in your area or call 020 7320 5650. It only takes 10 minutes to get started.

Feature in Good Housekeeping October 2014