Category Archives: Life & Style

Can The Biological Clock Cloud Your Relationship Judgement?

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Bombarded by fertility facts and figures, women are increasingly obsessed with the ‘tick-tock’ of their biological clock, with the desire to find ‘Mr Happy Ever After ‘feeling all-consuming.

“Trying to find the perfect partner, who meets all of your ideas, can lead you to missing out on prospects who would make a very good partner,” says Dr Gian Gonzaga, relationship scientist at eHarmony.co.uk. “Conversely, settling for someone who doesn’t even have all the things you need in a partner, just to start a family, can lead to a very unhappy marriage.”

According to Dr Gonzaga, who studies thousands of singles and couples at the eHarmony Labs in California, much of the energy going in to finding ‘Mr or Mrs Happy Ever After’ is being channelled in the wrong direction, leading those who crave to settle down and build a family never managing to meet the right person to share their life.

Dr Gonzaga’s research has resulted in five key learnings that singles can apply to ensure that they meet the right person to build a life and family:

· Be careful who you look for. A serious partner needs to share your values, and life plans. It’s important for both men and women to avoid the types of people who seem to have a roving eye, who prioritise a lot else in their life before you, or who seem to be heading in a totally different direction to you. It’s best to avoid even dating people who aren’t remotely ready or able to commit if you’re thinking seriously about marriage and babies in the near future.

· As well as a ticking clock, chemistry can also cloud your judgement. There’s no denying chemistry is an important factor in deciding on a potential mate. After all we have to be attracted to someone to want to have their children, but try to look beyond that initial ‘zing’ and ascertain whether you share the same long term values in life. Looks don’t last – but shared interest and values make for a solid potential partnership.

· If you’re single and already on the dating scene, it helps to become a savvy dater and learn how to recognise the signs of a relationship that is casual, or not likely to lead to anything serious. You need to be in a relationship where both parties are investing equal amounts of time and energy, as this is when it could be time to commit to a relationship that could be the start of something serious.

· When dating a new person, or considering dating them, think carefully about your compatibility and make sure you know whether they share the same ‘must-haves ‘ when it comes to children as you. For example, does this person really want children in the future? Do you have a similar outlook on how a child will fit into your lives? Having a similar attitude to child-rearing is one of the most fundamental areas of compatibility.

· Finally, take a step back and relax. Young people, particularly women, often put pressure on themselves to meet certain deadlines in life – for example, marriage at 30, or babies by 32. These timelines are often only imposed by society, or peer pressure, and are not worth being restricted by, as it’s impossible to control every factor in life and the best things can happen at the most unexpected times.

Greg Rusedski's Creamy Fish Pie with Cheese and Potato Topping

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The Ocado Fish Pie Mix makes this a delicious, chunky dish.

Classic, tasty and filling, our prepared mix means that this comforting dinner is even easier to make
Prepare Ahead

Preheat the oven to 200’C / 180’C Fan/ Gas 4. Have a 1.5L ovenproof dish ready.
Instructions
1. Cook the potatoes in lightly salted boiling water until just tender; drain well then return to the hot saucepan. Mash together with 25g butter and 4 tbsp cream or milk. Beat in half the cheese and season to taste.
2. Meanwhile heat 450ml milk in a saucepan, add the fish, cover with a lid and poach gently for 4-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to strain and transfer the fish to a 1.5L ovenproof dish.
3. To make the sauce, melt 50g butter into the hot milk then sprinkle on the flour. Heat gently, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Check the seasoning. Stir in the peas and chopped eggs then pour over the cooked fish.
4. Carefully spread the potato topping out evenly over the filling. Scatter on the remaining cheese mixed with the breadcrumbs or crisps, if using.
5. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until piping hot with a golden brown potato topping.

Ingredients

* 1½ kg Ocado Perfect for Mashing Potatoes, peeled
* 75g Butter
* 50g Ocado Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
* 1 handful fresh Breadcrumbs or crumbled Plain Crisps (optional)
* 2 x 320g Ocado Fish Pie Mix
* 450ml Semi-Skimmed Milk, plus 4tbsp for the mash
* 50g Plain Four
* 2 Ocado Free Range Eggs, hard-boiled, roughly chopped
* 200g Ocado Fresh Shelled Garden Peas (optional)
* 1 pinch Salt , to taste
* 1 pinch Pepper, to taste

Serves 6

Total time required Total time:1 hr

* Preparation time: 35 mins
* Cooking time: 25 mins

GREG RUSEDSKI’S DISHES FOR FAMILIES: Apple Sorbet

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This grown up pudding is a perfect end to a rich meal, light and refreshing but still a sweet treat.
Instructions

1. Place the sugar and 125ml of water in a saucepan and cook stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add the apples and cook until softened. Remove from the heat and leave to cool, then blend to a puree.
3. Stir in the corn syrup and dessert wine. Pour into a shallow freezerproof container, and freeze for 2 hours.
4. Remove from the freezer and whisk or stir briskly with a fork to break up the ice crystals. Return to the freezer and repeat this process 3 more times, before serving in scoops.

Ingredients

* 125g Caster Sugar
* 8 Apples, peeled, cored and sliced.
* 2 tbsp Corn Syrup
* 200ml Sweet Dessert Wine

Serves 6
Total time required 10 mins

* Preparation time: 10 mins
* Other time: Cooling 380 minutes

GREG RUSEDSKI’S DISHES FOR FAMILIES: Portabella Burgers

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Fancy a satisfyingly juicy, filling alternative to beef burgers? Chunky portabella mushrooms are full of flavour and meaty enough to take a good grilling. For a barbecue, top with cheese, pickles or salad, then just veg out in the sunshine.
Instructions

1. Wipe the mushrooms clean and place in a freezer bag with the olive oil, chilli, garlic, lemon juice and seasoning.
2. Secure the bag, then turn the bag several times to coat the mushrooms evenly, then leave to one side for 30 minutes.
3. Cook over a hot barbecue, or under a hot grill, turning until piping hot and cooked through. Pile into burger buns along with your favourite accompaniments.

Ingredients

* 250g Portabellini Mushrooms
* 2 tbsp Olive Oil
* 1 Red Chilli, deseeded and chopped
* 1 clove Garlic, crushed
* 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
* 4 Burger Buns
* 4 Tomatoes
* 4 handfuls Salad

Serves 4
Total time required 18 mins

* Preparation time: 10 mins
* Cooking time: 8 mins
* Other time: 30 (marinating)

Twilight's Peter Facinelli Launches #ifiwereaVampire Campaign to Raise Funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

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Fantapper Campaign Gives Fans Vampire Treatment While Supporting Childhood Cancer Charity

Actor Peter Facinelli, star of THE TWILIGHT SAGA and “Nurse Jackie,” has launched a new effort to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer through an online experience. With the help of Fantapper, Peter has invited fans to submit photos for a special vampire treatment which they can share digitally with their friends. Once the campaign reaches two million viewers, the Southern California Foundation will make a $50,000 donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

A longtime supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ASLF), Facinelli hopes to bring new awareness to the organization while engaging with fans through Fantapper.

“Fans can support ALSF without spending a dime – and have some fun in the process,” said Facinelli. “Fantapper gives me a way to connect with people directly and share the things I’m passionate about – like supporting kids and families struggling with childhood cancer. And who wouldn’t want to be turned into a vampire for a great cause?”

“We have been so thrilled to have the continuing support of Peter Facinelli in the battle against childhood cancer,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom. “We are hopeful that Peter’s fans – and everyone interested in supporting kids facing childhood cancer – will participate and share #ifiwereaVampire with their friends and family. We think the Fantapper campaign is a win-win opportunity to support our efforts.”

The campaign is currently live and will run through Monday, June 27; full details are available at: www.fantapper.com.

HUMMUS HUNGRY LONDONERS OFFERED FREE MEAL FOR CHARITY

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Hummus Bros is to hold Barter Day on Sunday 19 June offering free meals in exchange for donations to Cancer Research UK

Chickpea inspired eatery Hummus Bros will be giving out free meals on Sunday 19 June in return for donations of clothes, DVDs, books and homeware for Cancer Research UK shops – proving that there is such a thing as a free lunch.

Hungry Londoners can bring their unwanted items into the Wardour Street branch of Hummus Bros where they can haggle the value of their possessions with staff from the Marylebone Cancer Research UK shop. Vouchers will then be given out matching the value – two or three good quality donations should be enough for a completely free meal!

Barter Day runs from midday to 6pm on Sunday 19 June at Hummus Bros, 88 Wardour Street, Soho, W1F 0TH and all quality donations will be accepted. For directions please visit www.hbros.co.uk/soho . With Barter Day, Hummus Bros continues to offer unprecedented value while being socially and environmentally responsible – keeping your conscience and tummy happy.

Christian Mouysset, co-owner and co-founder of Hummus Bros, said: “After such a successful response to our first event we were more than happy to get involved and offer our customers a free lunch whilst donating to a good cause.”

April Sherlock, Cancer Research UK Area Manager, said: “We need good quality donations now more than ever. This is the perfect way to support the charity while also bagging yourself some free food. We are really grateful for Hummus Bros’ generous help. Cancer Research UK are entirely funded by the public and it is events like this that help us deliver our life saving research.”

MUMS-TO-BE WASTE £158 MILLION EACH YEAR ON BABY PRODUCTS THEY WILL NEVER USE

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A survey of British mothers shows that the average new mother wastes more than £200 on items such as baby DVDs, room humidifiers and changing bins.

Useless baby products to appear in the top 20 list of never-used buys include air purifiers, Video monitors, car seat covers and baby bath stands.

Interestingly, items that some children might enjoy – such as baby swings and baby walkers –aren’t rated as particularly useful by mums.

Sally J. Hall, product champion for Bounty.com, which conducted the research said: “It’s hard to know what to buy for a baby if you haven’t had one before. You can listen to advice from other mums, friends and family and swot up with books and the internet, but the fact is, each mum has a different lifestyle and income – and should choose to suit herself rather than blindly follow an off-the-shelf ‘baby list’”

“Each child is different too – if you have a placid, calm baby that sleeps through the night you might not be as concerned about checking the temperature of the room and the air purification every five minutes.”

The survey shows that the majority of mums (86%) started to stock up on baby products long before they even had the child – but 43% say they totally over-bought on what they needed. The average new mother admitted to spending nearly £700 in total on baby products and 14% of women got into trouble with their partner for over-spending on things they didn’t strictly need for the baby.

Nappies, baby clothing, wet wipes, prams and bottles all featured highly as essentials that mums should buy, while basic furniture such as cots, highchair, nursery furniture and Moses baskets are considered essential for British mums.

Sally continues; “We commissioned this research as the current economic climate has seen families having to tighten their belts. Having a baby is already an expensive business and we wanted to understand from new mums themselves which products they found really essential – and which they could have definitely done without.

“New parents generally have less disposable income, through taking maternity leave and having to get by on one salary – but to look round some of the shops, you’d think that babies couldn’t manage without endless accessories.

“When it comes down to it, all babies need are to have their basic needs met – to eat, be kept clean and warm – and to be loved – something parents should keep in mind if they’re watching their spending.”

Bounty has used the information to launch the answer to this dilemma. The Bounty Baby Product Guide will be distributed to around 96% of all first time pregnant mums at the beginning of their third month of pregnancy – just when they are making these important decisions. It shows pregnant women how to buy sensibly for their income and lifestyle and recommends products that will save them money and give them more time to spend with their new baby.

TOP 20 LEAST USEFUL BABY BUYS

1. Air purifier

2. Video monitor

3. Baby DVD

4. Room humidifier

5. Designer pram / pushchair

6. Changing bin

7. Room thermometer

8. Feeding pillow

9. Sound and movement monitor

10. Baby bath stand

11. Top and tail bowl

12. Baby shoes

13. Bath thermometer

14. Round rubber baby chair

15. Car seat cover

16. Brand name nappies

17. Bath seat

18. Baby swing

19. Baby walker

20. Soft cuddly toys

TOP 20 MOST USEFUL BABY BUYS

1. Nappies

2. Baby grows

3. Wet wipes

4. Pram or pushchair

5. Baby vest

6. Bottles

7. Cot

8. Changing mat

9. Bedding

10. Car seat

11. Steam steriliser

12. Bibs

13. Baby blankets

14. Clothing

15. Highchair

16. Baby bath

17. Nappy bags

18. Nursery furniture

19. Stair gates

20. Moses basket / crib

VEHICLE VENGEANCE: CHEATED WOMEN PLOT REVENGE ON PARTNERS’ CARS

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~ More than half vow retaliation on unfaithful lovers, Autoglass® survey reveals ~

One in 10 women say they would smash up the car of their cheating partner in revenge for an affair, a new survey reveals.

More than a quarter (27%) would consider damaging the paintwork if the car was his most prized possession with 13% vowing to slash the tyres and 9% targeting the windscreen. A further 26% would sell the vehicle on eBay for 50p, according to the Autoglass® poll.

Six out of 10 (59%) say the aim of revenge would be to humiliate their unfaithful boyfriend or husband although 18% would gain satisfaction just from seeing them lose their most treasured belonging.

The approach to Tiger Woods’-style “Vehicle Vengeance” is different depending on the age of the women. Those aged 22-25 would smash the windscreen to get even, 19-21year-olds would damage the paintwork first, while 31-35 year olds are the most likely to sell the car.

Overall, a quarter (24%) would attack the lovecheat himself to settle scores with a further 24% opting for the silent treatment. However, 6% say they would broadcast the infidelity on Facebook or Twitter.

More than half (59%) in the poll of 3,000 men and women said they would launch some form of retaliation if their other half embarked on an affair. Wales was top of the vengeful chart, with as many as seven out of ten (67%) vowing revenge – and almost a third of these would go for the car first – the highest number in the UK.

1. Wales

2. West Midlands

3. East Midlands

4. Yorkshire

5. Scotland

6. N Ireland

7. London

8. North West

9.North East

10. South West

The most placid people and the least likely to take action are those living in East Anglia while the Scottish are the most prepared to physically attack their partner to settle scores.

The Welsh take the top slot when is comes to targeting cash, with 18% of those questioned admitting they would take their partner’s money compared to a UK average of 11 per cent. Other popular ways of hitting back by both sexes include destroying clothes, revealing intimate secrets to parents, putting laxatives in food and going on credit card funded shopping sprees.

Matthew Mycock, managing director of Autoglass®, said: “Clearly, many Britons are prepared to take revenge if their other half is unfaithful – and cars are one of the things which are likely to bear the brunt of their anger.

“Vehicle Vengeance is a very real threat with women saying they are determined to target what is most precious to their partner to get their own back if he cheats. Men who are tempted to stray should think twice – especially if they love their cars!”