2017 Rental Affordability Index

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Frostie

To rent the recommended space for one person, Londoners must pay an average of £963.76 per month.
On average, Londoners must earn a gross salary of at least £3,323.07 per month to afford to live alone and meet additional living costs. That equates to a gross salary of £39,876.84 per year.
A family living in London must earn an average of £6,305.31 per month to cover rent plus living costs. That equates to a gross salary of £75,663.72 per year.

Nested.com, the London based online estate agent, produced the Rental Affordability Index. The study illustrates the price of renting per square metre in 33 London boroughs, 15 UK cities and 72 cities worldwide. Based on this, the research could further convey the minimum gross salary required to support an individual and a family of four in rented property, based on the minimum space recommended for one person, and for a family.

The comprehensive study was undertaken in order to understand the costs associated with renting as an individual and as a family, and to determine whether cities are becoming increasingly unaffordable. The inclusion of specific results for each of the 33 London boroughs allows easy comparison between regional and global cities to the UK capital, with its much-publicised unaffordability.

The price per square metre of property was calculated based upon current market listings for all locations researched, whilst the minimum space recommended for one person and four people is laid out in guidelines from the Greater London Authority.1 The gross salary guideline was included to help illustrate relative affordability.2

London

To rent a property of the minimum space recommended for one person, Londoners must on average pay £963.76 per month.
Taking into account the recommended maximum 29% of income which should be spent on rent,2 on average a Londoner needs to earn a gross salary of £3,323.07 per month to live alone. This equates to £39,876.84 per year.
In London, the minimum space recommended for a family of four requires a monthly income of £6,305.31. This equates to an annual salary of £75,663.72.
The least affordable borough to rent in London is Kensington and Chelsea, where rent per square metre is £72.40 per month.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in Kensington and Chelsea, an individual needs an income of £9,736.55 per month, or £116,838.60 per year.
To afford the rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in Kensington and Chelsea, a monthly income of £18,474.48 is needed. This is equal to an annual income of £221,693.76.
The most affordable borough to rent in London is Bexley, where rent per square metre is £13.30 per month.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in Bexley, an individual must earn an income of £1,788.62 per month, or £21,463.44 per year.
To afford the rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in Bexley, a monthly income of £3,393.79 would be required, equal to an annual income of £40,725.48.

The results for London, ranked by the cost of rental per square per metre, are as follows:

	Borough	Cost Per Sq. Metre	Monthly Rental for a Single Person	Yearly Income Needed to Afford Single Person Rental	Monthly Rental for a Family	Yearly Income Needed for to Afford Family Rental
1	Kensington & Chelsea	£72.40	£2,823.60	£116,838.60	£5,357.60	£221,693.76
2	City of Westminster	£54.82	£2,137.98	£88,468.08	£4,056.68	£167,862.60
3	City of London	£44.42	£1,732.38	£71,684.64	£3,287.08	£136,017.12
4	Camden	£39.50	£1,540.50	£63,744.84	£2,923.00	£120,951.72
5	Hammersmith & Fulham	£32.86	£1,281.54	£53,029.20	£2,431.64	£100,619.64
6	Islington	£32.34	£1,261.26	£52,190.04	£2,393.16	£99,027.36
7	Wandsworth	£31.69	£1,235.91	£51,141.12	£2,345.06	£97,036.92
8	Southwark	£31.29	£1,220.31	£50,495.64	£2,315.46	£95,812.08
9	Lambeth	£30.53	£1,190.67	£49,269.12	£2,259.22	£93,484.92
10	Haringey	£26.65	£1,039.35	£43,007.64	£1,972.10	£81,604.08
11	Hackney	£25.72	£1,003.08	£41,506.80	£1,903.28	£78,756.36
12	Richmond upon Thames	£23.49	£916.11	£37,908.00	£1,738.26	£71,928.00
13	Merton	£22.42	£874.38	£36,181.20	£1,659.08	£68,651.64
14	Tower Hamlets	£21.70	£846.30	£35,019.36	£1,605.80	£66,446.88
15	Barnet	£21.67	£845.13	£34,970.88	£1,603.58	£66,355.08
16	Brent	£20.89	£814.71	£33,712.08	£1,545.86	£63,966.60
17	Kingston upon Thames	£20.50	£799.50	£33,082.80	£1,517.00	£62,772.36
18	Ealing	£20.47	£798.33	£33,034.32	£1,514.78	£62,680.56
19	Enfield	£19.00	£741.00	£30,662.04	£1,406.00	£58,179.36
20	Waltham Forest	£17.70	£690.30	£28,564.08	£1,309.80	£54,198.60
21	Hounslow	£17.47	£681.33	£28,192.92	£1,292.78	£53,494.32
22	Harrow	£17.17	£669.63	£27,708.84	£1,270.58	£52,575.72
23	Lewisham	£16.82	£655.98	£27,144.00	£1,244.68	£51,504.00
24	Greenwich	£16.52	£644.28	£26,659.92	£1,222.48	£50,585.40
25	Newham	£16.50	£643.50	£26,627.64	£1,221.00	£50,524.08
26	Sutton	£16.08	£627.12	£25,949.76	£1,189.92	£49,238.04
27	Redbridge	£15.92	£620.88	£25,691.64	£1,178.08	£48,748.08
28	Hillingdon	£15.83	£617.37	£25,546.32	£1,171.42	£48,472.56
29	Bromley	£15.70	£612.30	£25,336.56	£1,161.80	£48,074.52
30	Croydon	£15.30	£596.70	£24,691.08	£1,132.20	£46,849.68
31	Barking & Dagenham	£14.94	£582.66	£24,110.04	£1,105.56	£45,747.36
32	Havering	£13.88	£541.32	£22,399.44	£1,027.12	£42,501.48
33	Bexley	£13.30	£518.70	£21,463.44	£984.20	£40,725.48
	Average across 33 boroughs	£24.71	£963.69	£39,876.84	£1,828.54	£75,663.72

UK cities:

The second most expensive UK city for rent prices is Edinburgh at a cost of £12.85 per square metre.
The most affordable city to rent property is Belfast at £6.29 per square metre.
An income of £1,728.10 per month is needed for single habitation in Edinburgh. That equates to an annual salary of £20,737.20 per year
To afford family rental in Edinburgh, a monthly income of £3,278.97 is needed. That equates to an annual income of £39,347.64.
An income of just £845.90 per month is needed for single habitation in Belfast. That equates to an annual salary of £10,150.80 per year.
To afford family rental in Belfast, a monthly income of just £1,605.03 is needed. That equates to an annual income of £19,260.36.
Single rental in London is more expensive than family rental in any other UK city.
Three of the UK cities made the top 50 global cities list (London, Edinburgh and Bristol)

The top 15 results for the UK cities list, ranked by the cost of rental per square per metre, are as follows:

	City	Cost Per Sq. Metre	Monthly Rental for a Single Person	Yearly Income Needed to Afford Single Person Rental	Monthly Rental for a Family	Yearly Income Needed for to Afford Family Rental
1	London3	£24.71	£963.69	£39,876.84	£1,828.54	£75,663.72
2	Edinburgh	£12.85	£501.15	£20,737.20	£950.90	£39,347.64
3	Bristol	£11.22	£437.58	£18,106.80	£830.28	£34,356.36
4	Southampton	£10.68	£416.52	£17,235.36	£790.32	£32,702.88
5	Manchester	£9.79	£381.81	£15,799.08	£724.46	£29,977.68
6	Aberdeen	£9.61	£374.79	£15,508.56	£711.14	£29,426.52
7	Cardiff	£9.24	£360.36	£14,911.44	£683.76	£28,293.48
8	Leeds	£8.92	£347.88	£14,395.08	£660.08	£27,313.68
9	Nottingham	£8.83	£344.37	£14,249.76	£653.42	£27,038.04
10	Sheffield	£8.54	£333.06	£13,781.76	£631.96	£26,150.04
11	Birmingham	£8.51	£331.89	£13,733.40	£629.74	£26,058.24
12	Newcastle	£8.47	£330.33	£13,668.84	£626.78	£25,935.72
13	Glasgow	£8.31	£324.09	£13,410.60	£614.94	£25,445.76
14	Liverpool	£7.19	£280.41	£11,603.16	£532.06	£22,016.28
15	Belfast	£6.29	£245.31	£10,150.80	£465.46	£19,260.36

Global cities:

Of the 120 locations included in the ranking, San Francisco is the most expensive city to rent property outside of London, at £42.81 per square metre.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in San Francisco, an individual must earn £5,757.21 per month. This equates to £69,086.52 per year.
To afford rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in San Francisco, an income of £10,923.93 per month is needed. This equates to £131,087.16 per year.
Of the 120 locations included, Cairo is the cheapest city to rent property, at just £3.05 per square metre.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in Cairo, an individual must earn £410.17 per month. This equates to £4,922.04 per year.
To afford the rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in Cairo, a monthly income of £778.28 is needed. This equates to £9,339.36 per year.

The top 50 results for the global cities list, ranked by the cost of rental per square per metre, are as follows:

	City	Cost Per Sq. Metre	Monthly Rental for a Single Person	Yearly Income Needed to Afford Single Person Rental	Monthly Rental for a Family	Yearly Income Needed for to Afford Family Rental
1	San Francisco, USA	£42.81	£1,669.59	£69,086.52	£3,167.94	£131,087.16
2	New York City, USA	£41.03	£1,600.17	£66,213.96	£3,036.22	£125,636.64
3	Hong Kong, Hong Kong	£33.14	£1,292.46	£53,481.12	£2,452.36	£101,476.92
4	Dubai, UAE	£30.49	£1,189.11	£49,204.56	£2,256.26	£93,362.52
5	Singapore, Singapore	£28.84	£1,124.76	£46,541.76	£2,134.16	£88,310.04
6	Washington D.C., USA	£28.73	£1,120.47	£46,364.28	£2,126.02	£87,973.20
7	Geneva, Switzerland	£26.66	£1,039.74	£43,023.72	£1,972.84	£81,634.80
8	Sydney, Australia	£25.30	£986.70	£40,828.92	£1,872.20	£77,470.32
9	Zurich, Switzerland	£25.19	£982.41	£40,651.44	£1,864.06	£77,133.48
10	Los Angeles, USA	£24.75	£965.25	£39,941.40	£1,831.50	£75,786.24
11	London, UK3	£24.71	£963.69	£39,876.84	£1,828.54	£75,663.72
12	Miami, USA	£24.53	£956.67	£39,586.32	£1,815.22	£75,112.56
13	Chicago, USA	£21.52	£839.28	£34,728.84	£1,592.48	£65,895.72
14	Copenhagen, Denmark	£20.40	£795.60	£32,921.40	£1,509.60	£62,466.24
15	Tokyo, Japan	£20.20	£787.80	£32,598.60	£1,494.80	£61,853.76
16	Vancouver, Canada	£20.00	£780.00	£32,275.92	£1,480.00	£61,241.40
17	Amsterdam, Netherlands	£19.54	£762.06	£31,533.48	£1,445.96	£59,832.84
18	Paris, France	£18.93	£738.27	£30,549.12	£1,400.82	£57,964.92
19	Melbourne, Australia	£18.18	£709.02	£29,338.80	£1,345.32	£55,668.36
20	Oslo, Norway	£17.39	£678.21	£28,063.92	£1,286.86	£53,249.40
21	Reykjavik, Iceland	£17.34	£676.26	£27,983.16	£1,283.16	£53,096.28
22	Stockholm, Sweden	£17.28	£673.92	£27,886.32	£1,278.72	£52,912.56
23	Dublin, Ireland	£16.81	£655.59	£27,127.92	£1,243.94	£51,473.40
24	Seoul, South Korea	£16.36	£638.04	£26,401.68	£1,210.64	£50,095.44
25	Toronto, Canada	£16.32	£636.48	£26,337.12	£1,207.68	£49,972.92
26	Auckland, New Zealand	£16.24	£633.36	£26,208.00	£1,201.76	£49,728.00
27	Brisbane, Australia	£16.12	£628.68	£26,014.32	£1,192.88	£49,360.56
28	Helsinki, Finland	£15.92	£620.88	£25,691.64	£1,178.08	£48,748.08
29	Beijing, China	£15.80	£616.20	£25,497.96	£1,169.20	£48,380.64
30	Perth, Australia	£15.48	£603.72	£24,981.48	£1,145.52	£47,400.84
31	Munich, Germany	£15.26	£595.14	£24,626.52	£1,129.24	£46,727.16
32	Shanghai, China	£15.17	£591.63	£24,481.20	£1,122.58	£46,451.64
33	Milan, Italy	£15.00	£585.00	£24,206.88	£1,110.00	£45,931.08
34	Rome, Italy	£14.54	£567.06	£23,464.56	£1,075.96	£44,522.52
35	Tel Aviv, Israel	£14.51	£565.89	£23,416.08	£1,073.74	£44,430.60
36	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	£13.71	£534.69	£22,125.12	£1,014.54	£41,980.92
37	Edinburgh, UK	£12.85	£501.15	£20,737.20	£950.90	£39,347.64
38	Dusseldorf, Germany	£12.68	£494.52	£20,462.88	£938.32	£38,827.08
39	Madrid, Spain	£12.04	£469.56	£19,430.04	£890.96	£36,867.36
40	Hamburg, Germany	£11.99	£467.61	£19,349.40	£887.26	£36,714.24
41	Vienna, Austria	£11.88	£463.32	£19,171.92	£879.12	£36,377.40
42	Taipei, Taiwan	£11.88	£463.32	£19,171.92	£879.12	£36,377.40
43	Brussels, Belgium	£11.85	£462.15	£19,123.44	£876.90	£36,285.48
44	Moscow, Russia	£11.60	£452.40	£18,720.00	£858.40	£35,520.00
45	Bristol, UK	£11.22	£437.58	£18,106.80	£830.28	£34,356.36
46	Berlin, Germany	£10.81	£421.59	£17,445.12	£799.94	£33,100.92
47	Southampton, UK	£10.68	£416.52	£17,235.36	£790.32	£32,702.88
48	Osaka, Japan	£10.29	£401.31	£16,605.96	£761.46	£31,508.64
49	Jakarta, Indonesia	£10.28	£400.92	£16,589.76	£760.72	£31,478.04
50	Barcelona, Spain	£10.27	£400.53	£16,573.68	£759.98	£31,447.44

Helping Children Sleep By Dan Jones

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Frostie

Helping Children Sleep

Almost 20 years ago I began working in children’s homes. Many of the children had endured years of abuse and other traumatic experiences by the time they ended up in care, this impacted on their ability to feel safe, relax, and sleep at night. Due to having Asperger’s, a high-functioning form of autism I obsessed about learning communication skills. I used this knowledge with the children I was working with. The children were often happy to have stories read to them at bedtime. I used to read stories to them, but rather than putting on different voices for different characters, or reading the stories lively, I used to read them in a relaxed tone of voice in time with the child’s breathing. Any sentences with words which could be associated with relaxing or inward absorption I would say with extra calming emphasis. This slight shift in how the stories were being read often helped the children to feel calm and comfortable and fall asleep. I started teaching what I was doing to other children’s home staff and to parents to help them to be able to help children sleep comfortably at bedtime without arguments and conflict, and years later wrote two books of children’s stories based around this approach: Sleepy Bedtime Tales, and Relaxing Tales for Children.

How do you help children to fall asleep at night?

The first thing to be aware of is what actually happens for us to fall asleep. Obviously being tired helps, so not letting a child sleep during the day is a huge help, secondly the environment is important. As bedtime approaches parents can start ‘putting the house to sleep’. What I mean by this is that a few hours before bedtime parents close curtains, turn off main lights and put on small lamps to make the home dimmer, and begin to focus on doing calm, low stimulation things with the children. The focus is on slowing them down, and making the environment quieter. If children are running around until bedtime their heart will be racing and they will be excitable and harder to relax, likewise, if they have been watching emotionally stimulating TV programmes before bed this will reduce their chances of falling asleep. Parents ideally limit screen time in the hours before bed. Mobile phones, tablet PC’s, computers, and TV’s all give off a lot of blue light which triggers the ‘wake-up’ processes in our brain – not what you want when you are trying to help your children sleep.

Once bedtime is approaching parents can have structure around what happens, and let the children know bedtime is approaching. It is more effective to say that it is bedtime in half-an-hour, and then giving notice at fifteen minutes, and then finally saying it is now bedtime, than it is to wait until bedtime and then tell the children it is time to go to bed when perhaps they are in the middle of a game or something and now they have to cut the game short.

Different children like different things at bedtime to help them sleep. Some are happy to be read a story. Although it is fun to read stories and get all involved in portraying the characters, putting on voices, and actions, this isn’t conducive for sleep. The stories need to be read in a calm and relaxed manner ideally framed for the child that they can lie down with their eyes closed, listening and imagining the story as they fall asleep. Most children accept this and enjoy imagining the story play out in their mind. The parent can then read slowly and calmly, adding emphasis and time when giving descriptions to help the child become increasingly absorbed in the inner experience. Another approach children like is for the parent to sit with them stroking their arm, back or hair. If this is done in time with their breathing, so each up-stroke is with an in-breath, and each down-stroke is with the out-breath then the stroking will build rapport with the breathing, and once the breathing is matching the stroking the parent can stroke slower or longer strokes and the breathing will deepen and the child will fall asleep. If the child wakes up during the night they can be encouraged back to bed, then the parent can calmly repeat the same again until the child falls asleep once more.

5 Top Tips to Surviving Pregnancy

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Frostie

Healthy Pregnancy Guide

We’ve lost count of how many pregnancy announcements there have been over the last two weeks.

If you’re planning on getting pregnant or have already conceived, we’ve asked our experts for their best advice for common pregnancy side effects:

Morning Sickness

It’s one of the most common complaints in pregnancy, with almost 90% of women experiencing some form of morning sickness. Although it is known as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day or night. Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading nutritionist and author of ‘Natural Alternatives to Sugar’ says:

“Morning sickness can definitely eased by regulating your blood sugar levels. Make sure that you eat little and often, using complex carbohydrates as snacks to keep your blood-sugar levels up. Suitable choices include rice cakes, wholemeal bread, rye crackers and any whole, unrefined products.”

“Vitamin B6 has been found to be very helpful in reducing the attacks of nausea and vomiting. One theory is that morning sickness may be caused by high oestrogen levels, and vitamin B6 is helpful in clearing excess oestrogen from the body by optimising liver function.”

“Ginger is a traditional remedy for morning sickness, and it can be extremely effective, as confirmed by a 1991 double-blind clinical trial. It can be taken in the form of supplements, capsules or herbal tea. Another good method of taking ginger is in lemon and ginger tea. If you are having trouble keeping fluids down, sweeten the tea with a little honey or maple syrup and freeze as ice cubes to suck as required.”

Cravings

From chocolate and pickles to spicy foods and ice cubes, most pregnant women experience cravings. Nutritionist, Cassandra Barns says:

“Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast, as this can lead to cravings later in the day for sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods. Make sure your meals contain a serving of a protein-rich food such as meat or fish, cheese or yoghurt, seeds and nuts, or beans and lentils: protein can help to slow down absorption of sugars and starches into the blood and lessen cravings later on.”

As well as having a nutrient-rich diet, taking a pregnancy multivitamin, such as Natures Plus Source of Life Garden Prenatal Multi (£42.95, naturesplus.co.uk) can help to prevent deficiencies that could provoke cravings.

Swollen Limbs

It’s not just your tummy that grows while your pregnant, for many women their hands and feet also swell during their pregnancy. Kimby Osbourne, leg health expert at Activa UK

“Pregnancy can obviously affect the legs and feet as there is a lot more pressure and weight on them during this time. Common problems incurred by pregnant women include swollen ankles, tired, aching legs and a feeling of heaviness. This is due to hormonal changes and the extra weight gain during pregnancy, which affects the leg veins. Varicose veins are also more common during pregnancy, especially if they run in the family. Compression hosiery and simple exercises are the best solution to help prevent and alleviate these symptoms and save you from storing up health concerns for the future”.

Back Pain

As well as general fatigue, many women say that back pain is a problem especially towards the end of their pregnancy. Cassandra says:

“Back pain can be a problem for many women in the later stages of pregnancy, as the weight of the baby pulls the body forward, causing the woman to lean back to compensate. The first thing to remember, therefore, is to maintain a good posture and walk upright, trying not to lean back. Avoid high heels, as they put more strain on the back – go for pretty flats instead. Other things that may bring relief include back massage, hot showers (or warm baths, but not hot), and exercise, especially prenatal yoga.”

Skin Problems

Increased hormone levels are the main cause of skin problems during pregnancy, acne is quite common with more than half of pregnant women can expect to develop some form of acne during their first trimester. Marilyn says:“Iron deficiency is more likely to be a problem as the baby starts having a growth spurt in the last trimester it always important to get this monitored. Low iron levels can cause hair loss, the skin to become pale and dull and the nails to become weak. Iron rich foods include all dark green leafy vegetables, tofu, dried apricots and blackstrap molasses.”

“Make sure the diet is rich in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables as these contain antioxidants including Vitamin E that naturally regulates blood pressure. Taking a good fish oil (Omega 3 Support, £27.77) and Vitamin C (NHP Vitamin C Support, £15.77) can be very supportive on top of the antenatal formula (NHP Antenatal Support, £22.97, all naturalhealthpractice.com).”

“Zinc is also essential for skin, hair and nails and can get used up rapidly when under stress. Eat plenty of brown rice, pumpkin seeds and oats.”

Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, adds:

“If there is oiliness or acne a gentle cleanser can be applied. Treat acne pimples with topical creams (usually prescribed by the GP or dermatologist) and moisturise with a light moisturiser. Use high factor SPF during the spring and summer months.”

Look for light formulaes that also have anti-inflammatory ingredients and promote skin cell renewal like the What Skin Needs Soothing Skin Gel. Dr Roger Henderson, GP with a special interest in dermatology explains: “The Soothing Skin Gel (£14.99, whatskinnneeds.co.uk) helps soothe and provide moisture to dry skin to protect after exposure to the elements as well as helping reduce the irritation of rashes”

Three Books For February: Our Top Picks

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Frostie

Nothing beats a good read so we have picked three very different books to entertain you this February.

Until You Come Home Ellie Dean

It is 1944 and Anne Black is making the best of a new life in Somerset, but bringing up her daughters so far from their father, her mother Peggy and their real home of Cliffehaven isn’t easy. The safety of Somerset makes separation bearable, until danger strikes and rocks Anne’s world.

Back in Cliffehaven Peggy Reilly is running the Beach View Boarding House with her usual love and warmth. The war is taking its toll however, and Peggy longs to have her scattered family home again. Until then she’ll continue being a mother to all, and maybe even find some time for herself.

As the fighter planes leave RAF Cliffe every evening all anyone can hope is that the war, like the night, will soon be over.

The heart-warming brand new Second World War novel in the Beach View Boarding House series from Ellie Dean, the Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author of Sweet Memories of You.

A riveting historical book that will have you in tears. But in a good way.

Until You Come Home is available here.

Echoes In Death J.D.Robb

New York at night. A young woman stumbles out on to a busy street – right in front of Lieutenant Eve Dallas and husband Roarke. Her name is Daphne Strazza, and she has been brutally assaulted. Confused and traumatised, she manages to tell them one thing. Her attacker wore a devil’s mask.

As Eve investigates this shocking case, she soon discovers a disturbing pattern. Someone is preying on wealthy couples, subjecting them to a cruel and terrifying ordeal. Worse still, the attacks are escalating in violence and depraved theatricality. Eve and her team are now in a race against time to find the man behind the mask – before he strikes again. But for Eve, this case in particular has unsettling echoes of her own troubled past…

Another book in the great series. Brilliant crime fiction.

Echoes in Death is available here.

New York, Actually Sarah Morgan

Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

A gloriously fun romantic read.

New York, Actually is available here.

When a Mother Isn’t The Best Person To Deal With An Anorexic Child

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Frostie

IT’S NOT A MOTHER’S JOB

Author and journalist Carol Lee spent many years helping her god-daughter, Emma, in her battle with anorexia and bulimia.

Emma’s first spell of anorexia seemed to happen suddenly. One minute she was a moody 15-year-old, the next she had locked herself in her bedroom and wouldn’t open the door.

I was called to the flat, only half a mile away, where her parents lived. Perhaps she would open it for me, the godmother she was fond of. But no. This was the beginning of her flight into anorexia, five years of Emma locking people out.

When I told friends about this, ‘What about her mother?’ they asked. ‘What’s she doing?’

But her mother was, in a sense, the last person who could help. She was the person the door was most firmly closed against. She was, in Emma’s terms, part of the problem and not yet part of the solution.

For a mother’s anxiety, her fear, her guilt, transmit themselves and a child with eating problems picks all of this up.

For although her mother was an excellent cook, Emma had rejected her delicious food for years. Instead, she raided the fridge for snacks. Her mother was a single parent who worked to provide for them both. It was tough. She was busy and tired and believing it was better for Emma to eat something rather than nothing, she gave in to Emma’s fridge-raiding.

Which is how I began to understand the importance of children having someone else to turn to. An aunt or a friendly neighbour. Someone not as close, intimate and worried as a mother. Someone who would respond more calmly.

Although Emma was fussy with food at my place too, she was easier with me. I wasn’t tangled up in emotions which had been simmering for years and she responded to me being both firm and relaxed.

But a godmother alone isn’t the solution to a teenager determined to take up with anorexia. I put it that way, because the condition is a choice. Being ill from it comes later when food deprivation causes things like critically low potassium levels and weakened muscles.

To deal with this, Emma was hospitalised many times. Initially locking out the doctors too, she refused to accept the treatment on offer. Finally, she ended up on a secure Unit for people with eating disorders. It was this stay which eventually worked.

For Emma’s problems were deep-seated. Life hadn’t given her enough of the love and attention she needed. There were few outlets for her bright, creative nature and for her deep need to give and receive lots of love. ‘I don’t know who to give my love to’ was one of the sad entries in her diary.

Anorexia was her way of dealing with this, a way of making her mark. Refusing and abusing food ‒ for she had bulimia too ‒ was her form of protest. She never wanted to die, although that wasn’t always clear to me at the time. Like Dickens’s Oliver, she wanted more ‒ more of the life opportunities and emotional nourishment she felt deprived of.

The expert help Emma received in a specialist Unit provided her with therapies which opened the door to her inner self. Music, art, group and individual therapy were all on hand and she began to flourish.

It still took five years in total for her to emerge from anorexia, but now, in her thirties, she remains well. She has a good relationship with her mother whose past difficulties she has come to understand. She is close to her stepfather, to me and to the friends she’s made along the way.

To Die For: The true story of a girl with anorexia and the woman who tries to help her by Carol Lee. Published as an ebook by Corazon Books, available exclusively from Amazon from Wednesday 8^th February 2017.

Protecting Little heads from tiny pests with Kit & Coco: Complete Treatment Review

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Frostie

There are many things that parents dread. Parenting nightmares are very real things and head lice is a big one. The ick factor is there and so is the embarrassment. Past head lice treatment can smell- and be- too chemical. Others are not that effective.

Kit & Coco is a haircare brand created to be gentle but effective on little heads. Launched earlier this year, Kit & Coco’s haircare is enriched with coconut oil which is naturally hydrating, nourishing and soothing. When massaged in, it both strengthens hair fibers and soothes irritations of the scalp, leaving hair even softer and shinier than before. Coconut oil has a bonus quality: it is an active participant in the treatment of head lice. Very handy.

Kit & Coco provide a gentle and fuss free solution to headlice and their pesky eggs.

Lice can produce around 10 eggs a day which take around seven days to hatch so one small problem can escalate into a larger issue very quickly. The Kit & Coco complete treatment kit includes treatment shampoo, a gentle ergonomic nit comb, applicator brush, protective shower cap and a surprise treat for little ones.

The Kit & Coco shampoo has coconut oil and rich botanic oil to deliver gentle yet effective prevention and treatment for head lice and nits. As head lice are constantly adapting to create a resistance to Pediculicides (chemical based insecticides), KIT & COCO has utilised plant based active ingredients – to totally eliminate head lice and nits (eggs) through asphyxiation, which head lice simply can’t develop any resistance to. The treatment range utilises the fatty acids from coconut oil to clog the respiratory system of head lice to banish those little pests for good. The 45-minute treatment we reviewed is proven to be 100% effective against lice and nits, find out more here: http://uk.kitandcoco.com/kit-coco-proven-efficacy

So what did we think? Kit & Coco Complete Treatment Review smells so much better than most head lice treatment. It is well packaged and the comb is a good one. You get four lots of the shampoo and…it works. Our tester was very impressed with the results. Great packaged stuff that looks fun and works. What more could you want?

The KIT & COCO range is available to buy online at KIT & COCO, Amazon and independent pharmacies nationwide.

The 50 Most Boring Things In Life Revealed

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Frostie

Changing duvet covers, people who Instagram their meals and Ed Sheeran have been voted among the nation’s top 50 most boring things.

And the average Brit is bored for over NINE years of their life, a study has found.

Brits describe themselves as “bored” for over three hours a day, and say that on average, they feel like they have “nothing to do” at least twice daily.

Work is one of the most common places for boredom to strike, with 22 per cent of respondents saying they’re bored for up to two hours – or 25 per cent – of their workday.

The study of 2000 adults in the UK was commissioned by online gaming company Casumo.com, whose spokesman said: “Boredom can be a real problem for many people, even if they’re happy with their lives in general.

“Boredom can sap productivity, and make people feel like there’s nothing good going on in their lives.

“We were surprised to find that people are more likely to feel bored at home than they are at work, and perhaps this shows a lack of imagination on the nation’s part, that they can’t entertainingly fill their free hours.”

Being stuck in traffic emerged as the most boring thing about modern life, aggravating over half of the nation.

This was closely followed by waiting in queues at the post office, being put on hold, and the humdrum routine of everyday life.

A slow internet connection, listening to drab football pundits’ analysis and cleaning the house also appeared in the list of the most boring things in life.

As did PowerPoint presentations, the Kardashians and unnecessary work meetings.

Four in 10 respondents said that they are bored more often now than they were as a child, and the most common time of day to experience boredom is 12:44 pm.

On average, Brits say that their lives stopped being exciting at the age of 37 and a half, and three quarters say they wish their lives could be more exciting.

And 25 per cent of Brits say that can’t even remember the last time something truly memorable happened to them.

Almost a tenth of the nation believes that all of their time drags past slowly, and a further 46 per cent say they notice it happening sometimes.

Casumo’s spokesman said: “A quarter of the population say that playing games online is one of the ways they defeat boredom. We can help with that, but unfortunately, we can’t do anything to make being stuck in traffic more exciting.”

THE 50 MOST BORING THINGS IN LIFE

1. Being stuck in traffic
2. Standing in line
3. Being on hold
4. Junk mail
5. Slow internet connections
6. Listening to politicians
7. Watching TV adverts
8. The routine of everyday life
9. Sitting in a waiting room
10. Queuing in the post office
11. Having no money
12. Tidying up the house
13. Waiting in for a delivery
14. The Kardashians
15. People who Instagram their food
16. Football pundits’ analysis
17. Unnecessary meetings
18. Cleaning the bathroom
19. Reality TV shows
20. Doing the washing-up
21. Selfies
22. Television shopping channels
23. Emptying the bins
24. Paying bills
25. Delayed trains
26. The daily commute
27. Formula 1
28. New mums on Facebook who constantly upload pictures of their baby
29. Social media challenges
30. Small talk
31. Changing a duvet cover
32. Waiting for a train
33. Phone calls that could be quick emails
34. Looking for a parking space
35. Company-wide emails
36. Filling tax returns
37. Horse racing
38. PowerPoint presentations
39. Places without Wi-Fi
40. Trailing around behind your partner in a clothes shop
41. Dieting
42. Waiting for your phone to recharge
43. Waiting for the oven to heat up
44. Rice cakes
45. Ed Sheeran
46. Gardener’s World
47. People telling you about their dream
48. Working overtime for no extra pay
49. Replacing the toilet roll on the holder
50. Bargain Hunt

Cabbie’s Burns Night Recipes

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Frostie

Crabbie’s are’re doing Burns Night right – with a brand new Scottish menu created especially for the occasion. Scots chef Jacqueline O’Donnell, who appeared on BBC2 show Great British Menu, has helped us to create the perfect three course menu that pairs beautifully with a glass of our finest ginger beer.

Starter; Haggis bon bon with Crabbie’s Ginger beer & beetroot

Serves 4

Oven 180c Gas 5

200gr Good quality haggis

50gr panko bread crumbs

1pk cooked beetroot

100ml Crabbie’s Original alcoholic ginger beer

2 tbsp Apple sauce

1 egg beaten

50gr plain flour

50gr panko breadcrumbs

Chop up haggis and mash whilst raw shape into 12 small bon bon shapes
Roll into flour then coat in beaten egg then roll in the breadcrumbs until coated
Spray an oven tray lightly with oil and place bon bons on pop in oven for 15-20min until golden brown
Meanwhile chop beetroot and put in a blender add the Crabbie’s until a soft puree season with salt & pepper to taste
When serving add a teaspoon of apple sauce just to secure the bon bon on the plate and serve the beetroot puree at the side. You can also serve with a side salad

Main; Duo of Venison Loin on thyme & hawthorn jelly served with Original Crabbie’s, warm red cabbage black pudding & ginger apple salad

Serves 4 Oven 200c Gas 6 Use a stove to oven frying pan

4 x 200gr Venison Loin (You can substitute the venison for Beef fillet)

4tbsp Hawthorn jelly (Redcurrant if you can’t find the Hawthorn)

1 Knorr beef stock pot

100ml Crabbie’s Original alcohholic ginger beer

½ red cabbage finely sliced

2 slice of black pudding

1 pink lady apple finely sliced

1 tsp stem ginger chopped very finely

1 tsp butter

1 sprig of fresh thyme

Sear in a hot pan the 4 pieces of meat season well & place in oven for 8-12 mins depending how pink you like your meat (Venison can get quite dry if cooked well done so try not to go past Medium well, in order to keep the dish moist
Bake the black pudding slices for in the venison pan for only 5 minutes then remove
Add 4tbsp of Crabbie’s to a pot bring to the boil then add the tsp of butter add the red cabbage and cook just until the liquid has gone
Crumble the black pudding into a bowl and mix with the apple and stem ginger
Once the cabbage has no liquid tip into the bowl with the black pudding & apple
Once meat comes out of the oven set aside on a plate and make the sauce in the pan you cooked the meat in remember the handle is HOT!!
Put the pan onto the heat and add left over Crabbie’s whilst pan is really hot, this de glazes the pan and gets all the flavour and bits of meat off the bottom then add the stock pot jelly with 150ml boiling water bring to the boil adding in a sprig of thyme just until its up to the boil allow to reduce slightly to the consistency of a sauce
Spoon a pile of the red cabbage warm salad onto the plate slice the venison and pour sauce over
Enjoy

Pudding; Iced Crabbie’s Cranachan with ginger shortbread thistles

Serves 4. best frozen over night

200ml of fresh custard (You can use shop bought)

100ml whipped double cream

100ml Crabbie’s Raspberry alcoholic ginger beer

1 200gr of frozen raspberries

50gr Pinhead oatmeal

25gr brown sugar

50ml raspberry coulis

Shortbread

100gr plain flour

50gr cornflour

50gr icing sugar

1 tsp finely chopped stem ginger

100gr unsalted butter

Bring to the boil and Reduce the Raspberry Crabbie’s by half then add to the raspberry coulis allow to cool
Fold whipped cream & custard together then add a few raspberries and raspberry coulis folded through to be quite swirly not all of the mix pink (if you do go too far that’s ok!)
Pour mixture into a clingfilm lined bread tin or deep mould terrine and put in the freezer overnight is best
Make shortbread add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until a soft dough roll out to as thick as a £2 coin cut into shapes and bake in an oven 150c for 20-25 allow to cool first
Place pinhead oatmeal & sugar in a hot pan until sugar dissolves and coats the oatmeal allow to cool
Remove cranachan from the freezer and take off clingfilm then roll into the oats until they stick and cover the outside of the cranachan
To serve add a few raspberries to the plate with the shortbread & slice the Iced cranachan
Serve with a full glass of Raspberry Crabbie’s & enjoy!

—

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Author Archives: Frostie