If you are like millions of people that have a busy lifestyle, you may find that you just have no time to be in the kitchen for hours. If this is the case, but you enjoy preparing and cooking meals, you need to invest in kitchen appliances. With the right appliances in place, you will be able to enjoy preparing the meals in a short amount of time.

For those who value aesthetics and are dissatisfied with how their appliances fit into the context of their kitchen, exploring cabinets matching stainless steel appliances can create a seamless and stylish look. Incorporating cabinets that complement your stainless steel appliances not only enhances the visual appeal of your kitchen but also contributes to a cohesive and modern design.

Remember, cooking and food should never be a chore, and you need to look at your relationship with food, and learn how to improve it in the future. Far too many people dismiss cooking meals as they think they will be time consuming, however, with gadgets such a microwaves, you can cook meals in minutes.

When they were first introduced to kitchens, microwaves were often criticised, however, today they are used by everyone, including chefs. You will be amazed at the amount of meals that can be cooked using a microwave, and the standard of microwave recipes has improved a huge amount. Whether you want to prepare items, or cook whole meals the microwave is ideal.

There are huge arrays of time saving gadgets, which will guarantee that your life is easier in the kitchen and that you enjoy cooking. Whether you choose a breadmaker, food processor, rice cooker, or slow cooker, they will all help you to cook better. Regardless of the kitchen appliances that you decide to have, you need to ensure that they are top quality. However, a top quality product need not always be on the expensive side of your budget! If you have access to sites like RetailMeNot (https://www.retailmenot.com/view/samsung.com), you might find the perfect discount coupon to use while shopping for the appliance you would need.

The latest kitchen appliances are designed with you in mind, and will ensure that you enjoy using them every day. Far too many people find excuses not to prepare and cook meals, however, with the right kitchen appliances; you will find that food is a pleasure. Spending more and purchasing top quality appliances will provide you with items that last and that operate to a high standard.

You will be amazed at what can be cooked in the microwave, and how delicious the foods are that you serve to friends and family. Everyone will believe that you have spent hours cooking the meal, when the kitchen appliances have done all the hard work for you. Even difficult foods such as fish can be cooked in the microwave, and provide the whole family with a nutritional meal.

Once you have learnt how to use the kitchen appliances correctly, you can enjoy them every day, and ensure that you never have an excuse not to go back in the kitchen. You will rediscover your passion for food, and begin to explore meals that are exciting and delicious. Spending time in the kitchen will become part of your daily life, and you will no longer relay on the takeaway menus as much as you had been in the past.

It’s no secret that it’s getting cold out there. And it’s no secret that pretty much everyone needs some sort of ‘winter wardrobe’ for when their Summer one just doesn’t quite make the cut. A staple of any winter wardrobe is knitwear – not only is it hugely comfortable, but it is thoroughly warming as well, and can keep you cosy during the long winter months.

Although knitwear used to be considered unfashionable, or the styles used were out of date or reserved for the elderly, it has seen a sudden rise in popularity. Not only that, but the designs of yesteryear, in all types of clothing, are making a remarkable comeback and proving the opinions of old wrong; especially as wrapping up is almost a necessity these days.

Fever, for example, provides affordable but massively fashionable knitwear in all ranges of styles, specialising in the vintage designs of the 40s, 50s and 60s. They provide not just a whole range of colours, but a whole range of clothing types as well – from cardigans to knit dresses.

Once you’ve settled your winter wardrobe, you might find yourself taking a particular liking to, say, the Nancy Bolero you just purchased, and want to know whether you can find the same sort of design in a different material or for a different occasion.

For special occasions, such as weddings or formal parties, a Chiffon Fez would suit perfectly, being of a similar style to the Nancy Bolero, but without the knitwear. Not only that, but it would match up fantastically to your favourite party frock, or maybe one that you would purchase alongside the Chiffon Fez. Similarly, if you took a fancy to the Texas Knit Dress when you were picking out your winter wardrobe, then you will find plenty of formal dresses in the same, vintage style; and dresses that go perfectly with your new Chiffon Fez.

Not only will having a winter wardrobe keep you warm this year, it can inspire you on purchases for other occasions as well, and give you ideas for when the time comes to plan your formal or summer wardrobes, perhaps even combining styles and colours that once originated from your cosy knitwear.

By Scott Clawson

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be completely fed up of the winter by now, and be dreaming of the warmer days of spring.

As the weather gets warmer, it feels great to escape the house, pull on a pair of walking boots and start exploring the great outdoors – blowing off any cobwebs and breathing in some invigorating fresh air at the same time.

Make spring seem that little bit closer by promising to go one of the following 5 days out in the countryside:

Feed Lambs at Park Hall Countryside Experience, Shropshire

You know spring has sprung when the daffodils peek out from beneath the surface and baby lambs start to appear in the fields. If you visit the new lambing centre At Park Hall, which opens its doors at the start of February Half Term, you actually get to feed and stroke a sweet little fluffy lamb.

There are also regular hands-on animal activities, two huge indoor play barns, outdoor play, driving activities and pig racing…phew!  A full and fun day out that the whole family will love.

Traditional Country fun at Willows Farm Village, Hertfordshire

Set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, Willows Farm Village offers a wonderful family day out filled with farmyard animals, children’s shows and tractor rides.  Willow Farm is a former holder of the National Farm Attraction of the Year Award and is most definitely worth a visit.

Visit War Horse Country at Dartmouth National Park, Dartmouth

Steven Spielberg famously declared he had never been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as when filming War Horse on Dartmoor in 2011.  Dartmoor National Park provided many of the stunning locations for the Spielberg blockbuster, War Horse.  Why not join a guided walk to see some of the locations used in the film for yourself?

Covering an area of 368 square miles, Dartmoor is the largest and wildest area of open country in Southern England.  Whilst many people visit Dartmoor to relax, enjoy the scenery and recharge their batteries, with over 450 miles of public rights of there is no excuse not to get active.

Recreate Swallows and Amazons with The Canoe Man, Norfolk

If you enjoyed this classic book as a child and spent hours dreaming of having your own adventure, then this fun-packed adventure day in one for you.

Set in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, you’ll soon be paddling your way through quiet backwaters to the Woodland Activity Centre.  There you will be taught the art of bush craft, learning to light fires without matches, build a shelter, backwoods cooking, archery, and much more.

Haworth 1940’s weekend

The tiny village of Haworth in the heart of West Yorkshires Bronte Country is famous for hosting a very special and fun weekend, and if you like dressing up in 1940’s attire, you’ll love this!

The weekend is jam packed nostalgic events, which often includes an RAF flypast, a visit from Winston Churchill himself, and even the Queen Mother.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for any woman, but like all exciting times it brings with it plenty of changes! Most notably, changes occur to a woman’s body and posture, with extra baby weight leading to increased appetite, decreased energy levels and poor posture.

Is it Safe to Exercise during Pregnancy?

It’s important that you are strong and fit for childbirth and the challenges that lie ahead, after your baby is born! You need to be cautious when selecting an exercise program, and always consult with your GP before embarking on any exercise regime. Swimming or gentle yoga or pilates are great ideas for exercise. You might even be able to invest in an electric bike, like those from https://www.aventon.com/products/aventon-sinch-foldable-electric-bike, for your smooth and easy-going exercise, a regular bike might be too dangerous as you could fall off and damage yourself or the baby. So sometimes more updated fitness equipment is best if you are interested in this sort of thing. Once again, consult your doctor before jumping straight in, but all in all, gentle exercise is encouraged to keep the body healthy and circulating.

What sort of Exercise is Best during Pregnancy?

Many women experience discomfort such as back or neck pain, due to poor posture from the extra weight they are carrying. Gentle pilates exercises, designed specifically for pre-natal women, can help to combat this discomfort and strengthen your back and core muscles. Pilates is also a relaxing exercise that can help you to relieve any stress you may be feeling, and help your baby to relax also! You can keep it going after you’ve given birth too, check with your registered doctor to see if you are able to take some pilates classes in Denver or more locally after you have given birth.

At Ivana Daniell we specialise in Pilates instruction. Why not pop into our studio to find the best post natal Pilates Chelsea has to offer?

Post Natal Exercise

It’s important to take time for yourself, even though your new baby is now the most important thing in your world. Try to take time out for at least two short exercise sessions a week, to reinvigorate your mind and body. You will feel like a new person afterwards! Pilates and other postural alignment exercises can usually be started around a month after giving birth (slightly longer if you have had a C-Section). These exercises can help to realign your muscles, bringing back the flat stomach you miss so much! They can also assist in tightening your pelvic floor muscles that have been put under strain during delivery, and restoring your postural alignment, which has been changed during your 9-month pregnancy. Exercising regularly will also help your energy levels and assist in losing your excess baby weight.

However, you should remember that these exercises, while easy, can take a long time to show you some concrete results, especially when it comes to reducing belly fat. In order to reach your goals quicker, you could go for a tummy tuck in Edinburg, TX, if that’s where you’re at. This could reduce the stubborn belly fat that has accumulated around your abdomen over the course of your pregnancy. It could also make you more mobile by reducing your mass, which can make exercises such as Pilates easier to do. As a result, you can adapt to a more active lifestyle, enabling you to achieve a healthy and strong body.

It is vital to exercise during and after your pregnancy, not only for your own energy levels, fitness and happiness, but for the well being of your baby too! Make sure that you always consult a medical professional before starting any kind of fitness program, and attend classes with a qualified professional, who can tailor exercises to suit your individual requirements. There are many qualified postural alignment experts in London and the UK who specialise in customising routines for pregnant women or new mothers, and who will be able to advise you on the best type of exercise to take for your health and well being.

Cornwall is the kind of place you could spend a good month on holiday and not nearly run out of things to do, or sight to see. In fact, we’ve been taking the family on regular holidays to Devon’s coast and dozens of Cornish holiday cottages for the best part of the last 10 years and I can safely say there’s always something we end up putting on the “Next year for sure!” list and once again running out of time for.

That being said though, Cornwall is also the kind of place where you can easily put a weekend, or even a day to really good use and work on some precious family memories. I’d like to say I’ve done it all but sadly haven’t come close, though I still reckon I’m in a good spot to offer a few almost-insider tips on where to invest your time if you’re not blessed with much of the stuff.

And these are notably lacking of any suggestions to get to the beach and sun yourself should the weather permit – I’m sure you’ll have already figured that one out for yourself!

Get Cultural in St Ives

Among its seemingly endless array of world-class attractions, St Ives is also home to the Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth’s famous sculpture garden. The lady herself sadly passed away in 1975, but her garden remains positively exploding with incredible wood, stone and bronze sculptures which are best discovered on a completely random and slow-paced walk through the stunning greens and blooms.

Discover your Sea Legs in Falmouth

Falmouth is one of the deepest natural harbors on Earth and is one of the most beautiful places in all of South Cornwall – not to mention the best place in the UK for a sailing lesson or two. Time it right when the sun is shining, the water is still and horizon all yours for one of the most unforgettable experiences imaginable. The St Mawes and Pendennic Castles flank the harbor on either side and are guaranteed to mesmerise.

And even if you’re unlucky enough to fall in, the good news is that the waters are some of the warmest in the country!

Monkey Around in Looe

For over half a century now, the Monkey Sanctuary just over Looe Bay has been looking after sick, abandoned and mistreated monkeys in a plot of stunning woodland. A series of large enclosures with numerous interconnections play host to various macaque monkeys, capuchins and Amazonia wooly monkeys which are just exploding with personality. Volunteers are always on hand to share the enchanting and often hilarious stories of each of their long-term guests, while the on-site vegetarian café has received countless awards.

Walk on Water?

Not literally of course, but I’ve always been blown away by the beauty of St Michael’s Mount – as in the dramatic island over Mounts Bay that is completely cut off from the land when the tide is in. Timing is everything to use the causeway and of course there are boat services on hand, but however you get yourself and the family there, don’t miss the breathtaking views.

-By Jeff Hutt

Jeff Hutt is a former IT executive who now works from the home he shares with his wife of 15 years. The couple have five children between 5 and 12 years old and consider themselves to be experts on short breaks in Cornwall and the South West of England in general, which they are also proud to call home. 

Payday loans may be the answer to your headache that has appeared this month, and can be the ideal way to get you through the financial crisis that has appeared. This style of loan has become incredibly popular; however, you need to ensure that you understand both the advantages and disadvantages. If you take the time to research, you will find that a payday loan can save the day.

The payday loan is an unsecured personal loan, which will need to be paid back within a short period. This is typically one month, and if not paid there will be high penalty fees, which is how some people find themselves in more debt. This style of payday loans online is designed to provide an immediate solution to a problem, and never be a long term option.

Millions of people use this style of loan every month, and they have proved to be incredibly successful. However, you need to ensure that you understand what they are designed for, and never rely on the money to survive. If you take the time to read all of the information, you have no excuse when it comes to applying for the loan.

The companies that provide the payday loans are often criticised for the high interest rates which are provided. However, they are offering loans to people that may have bad credit ratings, and not be in a position to apply elsewhere. Therefore, the interest rate may be higher than traditional banks, but it is often a competitive rate.

Regardless of how good you are at budgeting things often happen throughout the month, which can cause a financial struggle. This is when short term loans are ideal, and can ensure that you do not incur charges for unpaid bills, or have to survive without an item being fixed. There will be no impact on your credit rating, and other financial organisations will never know about the loan.

Applying for the payday loan is straightforward, and can be done easily online 24 hours a day, ensuring that whenever your crisis occurs, you can receive an answer immediately. Problems rarely happen in sociable hours, therefore, knowing that you have solved the problem before the next day is ideal.

There are very few criteria’s that need to be met to be accepted for the loan, and millions of people are successful every year. You will need to be over 18, and in employment with a bank account that money can be paid into, and taken from when the loan is due to be paid. There is a small application form to fill out online, which needs very little information; however, you must be 100% honest.

The loan amount is often smaller than other lending providers; however, this is due to the fact that the loan is unsecured.  The figure also needs to be an amount that average people can afford to pay back from their monthly salary. If you think that you may need a payday loan, and can afford to pay it back promptly, this could be the solution to your problem.

It’s that time of year again; that time of year when we take stock of the year, of our lives, and try to work out how we can make the best of the following year. New Year’s Resolutions can be notoriously hard to follow, particularly if it’s an ambitious resolution requiring will power such as giving up smoking or exercising every day. This article details some of the most practical and common New Year’s resolutions.

Clean the House

Even when you clean a property regularly, it’s easy for dirt to build up in hard-to-reach areas. Doing a deep clean can be really hard work, so many people choose to employ the services of professional cleaning companies (like UK Commercial Cleaning, linked before) periodically to clean walls and carpets. It might be a good idea to give the walls a lick of paint before you call the cleaners in.

Get Fit and Healthy

As we get older our health becomes increasingly important to us, especially after Christmas. After all the mince pies, turkey sandwiches, trifles and Christmas puds, not to mention the alcohol, many people feel like they need to detox and initiate an exercise regime. It’s easy to set unachievable targets and give up on your resolutions very quickly. The key is to set achievable aims based on your current circumstances. If you’ve never been running before you’re unlikely to run a few miles before work every day in 2013.

Healthy eating can be achieved relatively easy with some proper planning. It tends to be unnecessary foods such as snacks and takeaways that are the calorie culprits. Plan your meals properly and monitor your calorie intake. It’s important to eat enough calories to give you energy for the day, as otherwise this could be detrimental to your health and will make you significantly less likely to stick to it. Many people who go on extreme diets end up caving in and binging on all the wrong foods.

If you want to know more about eating healthily, have a read over the NHS healthy eating page.

Social Life

Many people make resolutions around work; find a job, work harder, make more money, get the pay rise, get the promotion etc. While work is a key ingredient to life, have you ever thought about being proactive about your social life? It’s easy for work and your personal regime to get in the way of spending time with friends and meeting new people, which is one of the best things about life. Many people with great careers feel that their social and personal life suffers as a result of them being so work-focused.

Make a resolution about your social life. Do you have any friends who you haven’t made the effort to see in a long time? Do you keep ignoring or declining party invitations? If you keep saying no at some point they will stop inviting you so think carefully about how much you value your friends. You could make positive resolutions about this such as committing to see your friends once a week, or making a resolution to be better at staying in touch with those close to you.

Image: MotiveWeight http://www.flickr.com/photos/67016367@N06/6936556413/sizes/l/in/photostream/

The young woman who was brutally raped and murdered in Delhi at the end of 2012 may not have died totally in vain since her fate has provoked a profound reality check amongst India’s male dominated society which is likely to result in a permanent long term reduction in future gender-based violence.

Women’s rights groups and charities have been campaigning for years to highlight the challenges faced by girls and young women as they endeavour to raise their status in India particularly in the fields of education and economic emancipation. The current wave of sympathy for the country’s daughters should provide just the impetus that they need.

One children’s charity, Plan International, has in fact been running a campaign since 2008 called “ Learn without Fear “ which has sought to raise awareness of children’s rights and to encourage the implementation of guidelines to eliminate corporal punishment, sexual violence and bullying in schools. It has also teamed up with UN Habitat and Women in Cities International to tackle the problem of girls’ safety in public spaces. It has enlisted young women to conduct safety audits in their localities and their findings are handed over to government agencies which can then effect appropriate action.

The charity also encourages both young men and women to identify instances of gender discrimination within their communities and to produce manuals for their peers on gender equality and the prevention of gender-based physical abuse.

The traditional response of Indian society towards rape victims has hitherto tended to stigmatise them and effectively implicate them as being in some way largely responsible themselves for such incidents. It is to be hoped that the horrific events in Delhi will shock the nation’s conservative majority into revising such misguided attitudes and encouraging more victims to come forward.

The general view now is that there should be fast track courts to deal with all reported incidents of sexual assault and violence against girls and women in India with the government prioritising urgent reform of the investigative and judicial procedures adopted in such cases.

The response to sexual crimes has too often in the past been characterised by inertia and sweeping matters under the carpet. This was associated with strong patriarchal mind-sets and the low value placed on girls’ and women’s lives and rights. There is no doubt that these attitudes contributed to the impunity with which gender-based violence has been committed in homes and in public spaces across the country.

As Rajdeep Roy Chowdhury of Plan India explains “To ensure a sustained reduction in the instances of violence against girls and women, work is needed to educate the police, judiciary, law makers, institutions and communities to be gender sensitive, gender responsive and ultimately, gender neutral.”

A child sponsorship charity will work to support children in the developing world, but they also strive to change beliefs at the heart of communities so these issues including discrimination against women can be eradicated.

Even the most committed runners can find sticking to their training plan difficult when winter rolls round. I mean, for most of us, running this season means heading out in the dark at least a few days a week, as well as when it’s icy, wet or snowy. In fact, I’m sure there are plenty of people who think running in these conditions is just plain crazy.

But the truth is that it can actually be really rewarding. I always find a run perks me up, and there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing that you’ve defied the wind and rain and managed to have a decent run anyway!

So, here are my tips for running in the winter.

1) Get the right kit

For me, by the far the most important part of winter running is having the right kit, since without it you’ll be freezing and pretty miserable (that said, I do sometimes see people jogging in shorts and a t-shirt at this time of year – I won’t pretend to understand how or why they do it!).

You need to remember three main things: technical fabrics, layers and reflectivity. Let’s look at each in turn:

• Technical fabrics: If you’re a keen runner already, you’ll know that breathable fabrics that wick away sweat are worth their weight in gold. In winter, it’s tempting to turn away from these and go for thicker options, but this is best avoided – which brings me on to my next point.
• Layers: Instead of piling on the fleeces, wear a few layers of technical fabrics to make sure you don’t end up soaked in sweat – that’s something you definitely don’t want when outside in a blast of cold air! Also look for thin windbreakers and light bamboo jumpers.
• Reflectivity: You may be able to see the cars and people around you, but if it’s dark and you’re moving at speed, spotting you will be much harder. So, wear bright and reflective clothing.

2) Maintain your motivation

One of the biggest barriers to winter running is motivation. For most of us, once we get outside and have been running for a few minutes, we’re absolutely fine – it’s actually forcing ourselves to leave the cosy house that’s the problem!

There are a number of tricks you can try. Having a specific distance goal in mind helps, since you’ll need to run regularly to achieve it (maybe sign up a race for early next year as an extra incentive), while you could also arrange to run with a friend.

I also find simply thinking ahead makes a difference. For instance, each weekend you could work out when you aim to run the following week. This way, you’ll know you can fit enough runs in around your other commitments, and you’ll be mentally prepared for them.

3) Be flexible

Now, I know I just advised you to plan ahead, but I’d like to add that flexibility is also important. For instance, if you intend to run on Tuesday and discover it’ll be pouring with rain that day while Wednesday will be dry and bright, switch to Wednesday if you can.

This just means you’ll have more opportunities to run in (comparatively) good weather, so you should enjoy it more. That said, it’s important to make sure you don’t end up running a lot less as a result – so remember to keep thinking ahead if you do make any changes!

4) Ditch the wet kit

Just as a quick final note, as soon as you get home you should get changed. And yes, I do mean before you shower. Ok, that means you will have more clothes to wash, but warming down in sweat-soaked kit when you’ve been running in the freezing cold is a sure-fire way to catch a chill.

So, get changed, warm down and stretch, then enjoy a nice shower and a hot drink! It’s also a good idea to treat yourself to some chocolate milk, which can promote muscle recovery and make your next run that little bit easier, while breathing oxygen-enriched air from a home oxygen canister can also help.

Planning your first children’s party needn’t be stressful. Here are a few tips to ensure you are on top of the basic party essentials.

Venue

When planning a children’s party, the first step is to decide on a venue. There are plenty of options but it will of course depend on the size of the party and your budget. A stress-free option is to have a childrens soft play party at Snakes and Ladders or a similar playcentre near you. This takes much of the hassle out of planning and arranging many elements of the party, and you’re ensured a fun time for all the kids. However, if you want to save money, you could host the party at home. If you have a large garden, you could have a picnic and still have room to play party games.

Entertainment and Activities:

Planning engaging activities and entertainment is essential to keep the young guests entertained and create lasting memories. Consider hiring a children’s entertainer, a magician, or a clown to add excitement to the party. Organizing traditional games like pass the parcel, musical chairs, or a treasure hunt can also be great fun. Additionally, setting up a craft station where kids can get creative with art supplies or organizing a themed costume contest can keep the party atmosphere lively and engaging.

Decorations and Themes:

Choosing a theme for the children’s party can add a delightful and cohesive touch to the celebration. Whether it’s a favorite cartoon character, a fairy tale, or a specific color scheme, decorating according to the theme can make the party feel more special. From balloons and banners to tableware and party favors, coordinating decorations can create a visually appealing setting. Don’t forget to capture the theme in the birthday cake or cupcakes as well. This attention to detail can enhance the overall party experience and leave a lasting impression on the little guests.

Ready Filled Party Bags

Planning a children’s party can be time-consuming but there are a number of ways to save time when it comes to party bags. Rather than painstakingly filling each party bag with sweets, toys and stickers, purchase ready filled party bags online and save time and money. You can go order ready-filled party bags and still choose from a wide variety of toys, sweets, and fun surprises. However, if you’re more of a DIY person and feel the need to personalize each bag, try to purchase some drawstring bags in bulk. You could check in with various brands including mato & hash drawstring bag bulk suppliers and customize them according to your needs.

The Menu

Once all of the preliminary preparations are out of the way, it is time to tackle the menu. First you will need to know how many children will be attending the party and then you will need to consider any dietary requirements that you may have to adhere to. The type of food you choose can make or break the party. Sandwiches cut into fun shapes go down a treat as do cheese cubes and party rings. If you want to get creative, why not have all of the little ones make their own pizza?

Birthday Presents

Of course no party would be complete without a birthday present. If you are looking for inspiration the internet is a great place to start your search. Put a budget in place before you begin and this will help you to not only narrow down your search but it will also help you not to overspend. The most popular birthday presents for children and toddles in 2013 include Toddler balance bikes, Angry Birds building sets, Leap Pads and anything Dora Explorer.