How Protein Shakes Help Women To Burn Fat, Not Bulk Up

August 1, 2014, 3:10 am

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When it comes to getting fit, protein shakes aren't quite the first thing that spring to mind. For most of us, these are the domain of bodybuilders or gym fanatics who measure out their peas and weigh their chicken breasts.

However, a recent survey from Bodybuilding Warehouse has revealed the rise of the "Protein Princesses". These are women who work out on average four to five times a week and take protein shakes - but not to build muscle.

SEE ALSO:

These Seemingly Healthy Foods May Be Giving You A Muffin Top

3 Secrets To Get A Flat Tummy

How To Do A Super Squat In A 6-Minute Workout

Instead, this 57% increase of women drinking the stuff is to burn fat and help with toning. It's time to address those protein myths.

It Will Bulk You Up
This is a common misconception, so if your fitspiration is more long and lean opposed to muscle man don't discount protein. Women who keep to a high protein, moderate carb and fat diet will lose more fat and keep more tone. Plus it can help achieve those lean muscles too.

It's Just For The Fitness Fanatics
Taking protein supplements alongside your regular exercise regime is not just for hard-core gym-goers. Whatever exercise you're doing, taking supplements will help refuel muscles, increase lean muscle mass and burn fat.

It Will Make You Fat
Protein will not make you put on weight but it is important to choose your protein intake wisely. A high protein diet will help maintain a toned body and will keep you feeling full for longer (without those excess calories).

It's Expensive
Paying for supplements on top of your gym membership may seem like a lot, but sport nutrition suppliers will let you buy in bulk too.

It Tastes Horrible
There are some really tasty protein supplements available, including chocolate, mint and vanilla. You can even pick up protein snacks such as muffins, cookies and hot chocolate.

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Happy Yorkshire Day! Here Are 14 Reasons To Move To Yorkshire

August 1, 2014, 3:15 am

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Happy Yorkshire Day, everyone! But especially everyone living in Yorkshire. As for the rest of you: here's 14 reasons why you should move to God's own county...

SEE ALSO:

• The 10 Most Yorkshire News Headlines Ever


• A French-Yorkshire Translation Guide

Thomasina Miers Recipes: Prawn Tostadas, Chorizo Pizza And Dark Chocolate And Chilli Tart

August 1, 2014, 3:35 am

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Chillies aren't just about the heat as former MasterChef winner and founder of Wahaca, Thomasina Miers' new cookbook Chilli Notes shows.

Brilliant for seasoning seafood, homemade pizzas and chocolate dinner party puds, these Mexican recipes are the ultimate summer sharing dishes.

Prawn Tostadas

Serves: 4–6
Time: Ready in an hour

You will need...

250ml olive oil or vegetable oil, for frying
8 large corn tortillas
40g peanuts
1 large onion, peeled and finely sliced
Juice of 1 (juicy) lime
1 avocado
2–3 tbsp hot and fiery peanut oil
150g raw prawns
2–3 tbsp mayonnaise
2 baby gem, cut into fine ribbons
Hot sauce, for splashing

For the hot and fiery peanut oil:

6 fat garlic cloves
25g sesame seeds
600ml sunflower oil
90g peanuts (skins on)
25g chiles de árbol (or other dried red chillies),
stems removed
2 tsp sea salt
2 good pinches of caster sugar

• To make the hot and fiery peanut oil, bash the garlic cloves once or twice to remove the skins easily. Heat a deep, wide-bottomed pan over a medium heat and toast the sesame seeds for four to five minutes until pale golden all over. Set aside.



• Heat 200ml of the oil in the same pan over a medium to medium-high heat. If you heat the oil too fiercely it will burn the nuts before you manage to toast them. Add the peanuts and gently toast them until they turn a light caramel colour, turning the heat down if the oil sizzles too much.



• Add the garlic to the pan and cook until it has turned soft and golden, about five minutes, before adding the chillies. Cook for a few more minutes until the chillies darken and smell toasted and nutty. Again, if the heat is too high, turn it down a little: if the chillies burn they will taste bitter. Add the salt, sugar and sesame seeds and pour in the remaining oil to stop the chillies cooking any further.



• With a slotted spoon, transfer the chillies and half of the nuts and seeds to an upright food blender and blitz to a coarse crumb. Now add the rest of the oil and nuts and leave to cool. Store in a clean, sterilised bottle or jar.



• Heat 250ml of oil in a small saucepan until it is shimmering hot. Meanwhile, cut out small circles from the tortillas, keeping the off-cuts to fry for salads or snacks, and test one in the hot oil. If the oil bubbles up vigorously, then it is up to temperature. If the oil doesn’t move very much, wait for the temperature to rise further.



• Fry the tortillas in batches so that you are not bringing the temperature of the oil down too much, until crisp and golden. Drain the tostadas on kitchen paper. Reserve the oil.



• Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and toast the peanuts for about five minutes until pale golden all over. Remove them and roughly chop. Add a few tablespoons of the frying oil to the pan, followed by the onion and a good pinch of salt, and cook over a medium heat for about 10 minutes until the onion is soft and sweet-tasting.



• All of this prep can be done a couple of hours in advance. Remove and set aside.



• When you are ready to eat, peel, de-stone and cut the avocado into quarters, then squeeze over the juice of half the lime. Heat the frying pan again and when it is smoking hot add a few splashes of the peanut oil followed by the prawns. Toss the prawns in the oil for a few minutes until they have turned from translucent to pink. Add the onions, most of the rest of the oil and the nuts and briefly stir to heat through. You do not want to overcook the prawns. Squeeze the rest of the lime juice over the prawns.



• Serve the tostadas with a smear of mayonnaise, the shredded lettuce, prawns and onion and top with the peanuts, avocado slices and more peanut oil drizzled over, scooping some of the delicious sediment from the bottom of the bottle over the prawns.

Chorizo, New Potato And Chile De Arbol Pizza

Serves: 4–6 (makes 3 x 30cm pizzas)
Time: Ready in 2 hours

500g new potatoes, scrubbed
Olive oil
500g mozzarella (or 2 large balls)
120g thinly sliced chorizo
A small bunch of thyme, leaves picked
80g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Chilli oil (see page 163), to drizzle
2 handfuls of rocket
1–2 avocados, peeled, de-stoned and sliced

For the pizza dough:

5g dried yeast
275ml warm water
400g type ‘00’ or strong bread flour,
plus more for rolling
1–2 tsp fine sea salt
A good slug of extra virgin olive oil
A good pinch of sugar

• For the dough, mix the yeast, sugar and olive oil with the water and leave to sit for a few minutes.



• Sift the flour into a large bowl (or the bowl of a food mixer) and make a well in the middle. Pour in the yeast mix and using a fork, gradually bring in the flour from the sides and swirl it into the liquid to form a wet dough. Then knead by hand, or with a dough hook, until the dough is satiny and smooth. Put it in a clean bowl, cover with a damp cloth and leave in a warm room for 90 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.



• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 240°C/465°F/gas 9, or to its highest setting, and place a baking stone inside. Alternatively, use a baking tray lined with non-stick paper or dusted with flour. Simmer the potatoes until just tender in boiling, salted water. Cool slightly and then slice into thin rounds.



• Flour your hands and the worktop, then punch down the dough, knead for a few minutes and divide into two. Shape each piece into a ball and roll out on a lightly floured surface into 5mm thick rounds or, if you prefer, long, round oblongs. You can roll these out 20 minutes before baking. Transfer to a couple of well-floured baking sheets.



• Drizzle the dough with a little olive oil, then top with torn up little pieces of the mozzarella, the potato slices, chorizo, thyme and Parmesan and some chile de árbol oil. Slide the first pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Scatter with rocket, more chile de árbol oil, sea salt and slices of avocado. Eat up!

Dark Chocolate, Chilli, Caramel And Macadamia Nut tart

Serves: 6
Time: Ready in one hour

1 quantity of pastry recipe (see below) or 375g ready-made all-butter shortcrust pastry
1 egg white

For the chilli caramel:

50g macadamia nuts
½ tsp chilli flakes
150g caster sugar
50g unsalted butter
75g soft brown sugar
3 large tablespoons golden syrup
150g crème fraiche
¼–½ tsp sea salt

For the chocolate ganache:

2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
70g caster sugar
300g dark chocolate, broken into small
even-sized pieces
200g unsalted butter, diced
60g flour
A few tablespoons of cream, if needed

For the pastry:

200g plain flour
40g icing sugar
60g unsalted butter (cold), diced
60g lard, diced
1 egg, separated

• To make the pastry, place the flour, sugar, butter and lard into a food processor and pulse a few


• times until the butter vanishes into the flour. Add the egg yolk and pulse again. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg white. Save a third to brush the pastry case and whizz the rest into the mixture, little by little, until the pastry comes together into a ball. You may need to add up to a tablespoon of ice cold water to bind the pastry. Wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least an hour.



• Roll the pastry two to three millimetres thick to fill the cake tin and lift it onto the tin. Press down firmly into the sides and corners of the tin, prick all over with a fork and trim away the excess pastry, allowing for a one centimetre overhang. Freeze for half an hour or chill in the fridge for up to a day.



• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Press some kitchen foil weighed down with baking beans inside the cake tin, ensuring that you fully cover the pastry. Blind bake for 25 minutes before removing the baking beans and cutting away the pastry overhang. Brush the pastry with a lightly beaten egg white and bake for another 5–10 minutes until the pastry is pale golden.



• Turn the oven down to 130°C/250°F/gas ½. Heat the macadamia nuts until they are lightly toasted, then roughly chop them. Crumble the chilli into a saucepan with the caster sugar and 25ml water and place over a medium-high heat until the sugar starts to darken in patches. Swirl the sugar around to mix the dark bits into the lighter ones without stirring. Once the sugar has turned a very dark reddish brown (just before it starts smoking and turning black), add the butter and stir to mix in. Then add the rest of the caramel ingredients, except the nuts, and keep stirring to combine until the mixture has reached 110°C. Remove from the heat and stir in the nuts.



• For the ganache, preheat the oven to 170°C/335°F/gas 3.



• Whisk the eggs with the sugar until light and fluffy. Place the broken chocolate and the butter in a heatproof bowl over, but not touching, a pan of simmering water. When the chocolate has melted into the butter, fold in the eggs and flour. If the chocolate splits – which it will do if you have over-heated it – beat in a few tablespoons of cold cream.



• Spoon enough caramel to just cover the bottom of the tin. Pour over the molten chocolate, bake in the oven for 5–10 minutes until just set, then remove from the oven and leave to cool to room temperature. Serve with lashings of crème fraiche or double cream.

Recipe taken from Chilli Notes by Thomasina Miers published by Hodder & Stoughton (£25)

Five Things I Learned On The Juice Detox

August 1, 2014, 3:52 am

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A few weeks ago I tried a two-day juice detox.

While juicing may be very a la mode - everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Millie Mackintosh getting in on the zeitgest - anyone who knows me would be surprised that I a) volunteered to to consume nothing but juice for 48hrs and b) actually managed to stick to it.

Because, like most 26-year-olds, I have a life. I like to eat, drink and stay up late; I only keep tabs on my wellbeing when I can remember (like on Monday morning) or can find time between work and my social life (rarely).

So it stands to reason that I would have a terrible time on the juice detox. I was certainly expecting hell. But, in fact, it was pretty damn good... and I learned a thing or two about juicing.

You don't get hungry

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that when you don't eat, you get hungry. And as someone with a fairly big appetite, the idea of consuming nothing but juice, herbal tea and water for 48 hours was kind of terrifying.

But in truth, I didn't get hungry - not once. My juice detox package included eight juices (most of which were delicious, although I still grimace at the thought of one flavour) and some psyllium husk to curb hunger pains.

Psyllium husk is essentially bark that you mix in a glass of water and swallow. It's high in fibre, forming a gelatinous substance in your stomach that expands, not only to fill you up but to cleanse your digestive tract.

I'm not going to lie, it tasted disgusting, like tiny bits of rice in water. But it is drinkable and stopped me getting hungry.


This is all I had for the entire weekend

Not all juices are created equally

You only need to think of your bog standard orange juice carton to know that most juices are jam-packed with sugar. And while I don't know anyone naive enough to try detoxing on Tropicana, it is worth noting that some juices (even those marketed for cleansing) could contain more sugar than you bargained for.

It's important to get a mix of veggies and fruit in your juices. And there's a lot to be said for mixing up flavours too, even if just to add variety.

I juiced with east London juice company Blend & Press, who provided me with a cleanse package featuring the following:

Breakfast: an energy-boosting Recovery Juice - with beetroot, carrot, apple, lime, mint, aloe vera. This boosts stamina, performance and recoevery.

Lunch: Purifying Juice - with cucumber, fennel, apple, parsley, lemon, coconut water, purifying greens complex. This is packed with chlorophyll to cleanse, energise and detoxify.

Snack: Alkali Juice - with watermelon, lemon, line and mint. This is sweet, hydratying and delicious as well as helping to balance PH levels in the body.

Dinner: Hard Core Juice - with spinach, cucumber, lettuce, kale, parsley, ginger, lemon. This is pure green veggies, with no sugar. This was my least favourite, but when you know it's good for you, you manage to get it down.



Choose your days wisely

Although it may be tempting to go the whole hog and kick your juicing off with a full five day detox, you have to be realistic. Try starting off with a shorter, bite-sized plan - a two-day cleanse, for example, is completely manageable.

Once you've successfully completed the 48 hour cleanse, you'll have more confidence to work up to a three or even a five-day cleanse.

It's also important to think about what days of the week you are going to cleanse. I chose a weekend, because many people report getting a headache on day one and I didn't fancy sitting at my desk feeling unwell. I didn't get a headache on my cleanse, but I imagine if I'd been glued to a screen all day I may have.

SEE ALSO:

Health Benefits Of Coconut Water: Is It All It's Cracked Up To Be?

Revealed: The 'Powerhouse' Fruit And Veg We Should All Be Eating More Of

Take it easy

The decision to juice on the weekend allowed me to take it easy, which is advisable. It's important to listen to and respond to your own body, I felt tired on the first day so I didn't push myself.

I had early nights, woke up naturally, did some gentle yoga and met friends for coffee (well, they had coffee, I had hot water).

Personally, with my hectic job, trying my first juice detox on a work day would have been pretty awful.

You'll cleanse other parts of your life, too

When you commit to something like juicing - even if just for two days. You start to evaluate your choices and lifestyle. I've resolved to exercise more, sleep better, and face up to things that aren't working or part of my master life plan - that may be facing up to a work colleague or addressing unresolved relationship issues.

In summary, my experience of juicing was that it didn't just cleanse my body but it cleansed my life.

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African American Ballerina, Misty Copeland, Proves That We Should Never Give Up On Our Dreams

August 1, 2014, 4:23 am

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At some stage, most of us will experience rejection - but one ballerina is showing us all that when the powers that be say you're not good enough, you shouldn't give up on your dreams.

Misty Copeland is the third black female soloist to dance for the American Ballet Theatre.

In the above video, Misty shows breath-taking strength as she dances en pointe while a composite of the rejection letters she received over the years plays in the background.

As the talented dancer leaps across the room, the voiceover reads:

"Dear Candidate. Thank you for your application to our ballet academy. Unfortunately you have not been accepted. You lack the right feet, Achilles tendons, turnout, torso length, and bust. You have the wrong body for ballet and, at 13, you are too old to be considered."

We bet those academies feel a little stupid now.

The video is part of sports clothing brand Under Armour's 'I Will What I Want' campaign. The campaign celebrates both the inner and outer strength of women, showing that with the right amount of determination, we can make our dreams come true.

"Misty Copeland is a game changer," said Leanne Fremar, Under Armour, senior vice president and executive creative director, when Misty signed to the brand in January. "Just as Under Armour is changing our consumer's expectations around performance gear by infusing it with style and design, Misty is changing the world's view of what it means to be a world-class ballerina. She brings a modern athleticism to a very traditional art form and pushes the boundaries of the status quo definition of the word 'athlete.'"

SEE ALSO:

Fitness Tips: How Men Can Benefit From A Ballet-Inspired Workout (VIDEO)

Ballet Dancing Is Not For Wimps: This Slow Motion Video Shows Off Insanely Hard Moves

Here's a look at a few of Misty's first promotional photos with Under Armour. Fierce!

This Video Of Puppies Rolling Down Hills Is Guaranteed To Make Your Day At Least 50% Better

August 1, 2014, 4:30 am

≫ Next: The Week In 50 Funny Tweets: Starring Richard Dawkins, Usain Bolt, National Orgasm Day And More

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You know what this day needs?

A compilation video of puppies rolling down hills.

Although, to be fair, it's what EVERY day needs.

(Via Jezebel)

The Week In 50 Funny Tweets: Starring Richard Dawkins, Usain Bolt, National Orgasm Day And More

August 1, 2014, 4:33 am

≫ Next: Delicious Dips: Recipes That Re-Invent Your Traditional Mexican Salsas And Guacamole

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There's something for both non-believers and non-Beliebers in this week's round-up of Twitter funnies.

For it was the week that Orlando Bloom and Justin Bieber went mano a perfectly manscaped mano in Ibiza...

"Orlando Bloom apparently threw a punch at Justin Bieber last night during an argument..." http://t.co/dVMPIeozBN pic.twitter.com/DxB4ETJMYT

— Fallon Tonight (@FallonTonight) July 31, 2014

The week that Usain Bolt was a little, erm, down about the Commonwealth Games. Although Al Pacino seemed to be enjoying it...

Al Pacino enjoys the gymnastics. https://t.co/MDvy7OKb83

— Michael Spicer (@MrMichaelSpicer) July 29, 2014

The week that Eastbourne Pier sadly caught fire...

"NO!!! I CAN'T LEAVE NOW, THE FRUIT MACHINE IS JUST ABOUT TO PAY OUT :( " pic.twitter.com/HdtJGJnG33

— Stephen Grant (@stephencgrant) July 30, 2014

And the week that Richard Dawkins sent people into a frenzy by tweeting the following...

Date rape is bad. Stranger rape at knifepoint is worse. If you think that's an endorsement of date rape, go away and learn how to think.

— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) July 29, 2014

Which led to responses like this...

Highly unusual levels of self awareness from Richard Dawkins' new book. pic.twitter.com/qJYTrKWPVz

— DocHackenbush (@DocHackenbush) July 29, 2014

...and the tweets we kick off with below. Enjoy!

SEE ALSO:

• The Funniest Tweets About The Glasgow Opening Ceremony


• The Best Politician Orgasm Faces (PICTURES)

Delicious Dips: Recipes That Re-Invent Your Traditional Mexican Salsas And Guacamole

August 1, 2014, 4:48 am

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Nothing is more invigorating or tantalising for your tastebuds than a refreshing and delicious salsa dish or guacamole dip, which is why we're always on the hunt for new recipes that re-invent these traditional Mexican staples.

This is especially true in the summer months when we're craving light meals that are bursting with flavour (but don't leave us feeling overly full and heavy).

The perfect mix of tangy and spicy flavours, with a refreshing burst of citrus, salsa is a dip, a sauce and can stand on its own as a salad. Healthy and packed full of your favourite fruits and herbs, a delicious salsa not only peps up basic dishes with much-needed flavour, it can take something distinctly bland and make it fabulous.

Likewise with guacamole: whether you crave it chunky or smooth, the irresistible combination of avocados, spices and sour cream is exactly the zingy and fresh snack to bring out at summer parties (perfect with tortillas, pitta bread and vegetables) or as a starter at a dinner party. It's also a great accompaniment to your favourite Mexican dishes like fajitas and tacos, perfectly balancing out the spice and complementing all those zesty flavours.



Always on the lookout for ways to spice up your traditional Mexican dishes? You'll love these fabulous recipe ideas from Santa Maria , which offer a twist on the classics with new flavours (ever tried pineapple salsa?) that mix sweet and spicy and can be served with fish, meat or as dunked on your favourite bread or tortillas.

What's more, with Santa Maria's ready-made spices and seasonings, creating these delicious recipes has never been easier - all it takes is your favourite ingredients and a few simple steps.

SEE ALSO:

• Avozilla: The Giant Avocado That Guacamole Lovers Have Been Waiting For



• How To Ripen A Hard Avocado (It Only Takes A Minute)

Check out these three tasty recipes from Santa Maria below and don't forget to click on our gallery for more delicious dip ideas and recipes.


Guacamole


A tasty snack or a side dish with any Mexican food.

Serves 4 portions

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados
1 packet Santa Maria Guacamole Dip Seasoning Mix
100ml sour cream

Method

1. Mash the avocados and stir in the Guacamole Dip Seasoning Mix and sour cream.

2. Place somewhere cool for about 10 minutes.

3. Serve with tortilla chips, tacos or tortillas.

Pineapple Salsa


Fresh salsas are so wonderfully versatile and varied that once you start experimenting it can be hard to stop. For this one, choose a really ripe pineapple; enjoy the zing of the lime and the subtle combination of the fresh mint and coriander. Add as many jalapeños as you dare. Serve with simple grilled fish or meat.

Serves 4 portions

Ingredients

300 g fresh pineapple, peeled, cored & finely diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh coriander, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 lime, grated zest and juice
1 tbsp Santa Maria Red Jalapeños, finely chopped

Method

1. Mix together the pineapple, onion, herbs, lime and jalapeños and season to taste.

2. Serve chilled.


Melon Salsa


A sweet, refreshing salsa with a kick. Great with Mexican and grilled dishes.

Serves 4 portions

Ingredients

1 jar Santa Maria Pineapple Salsa
100 g melon or mango, finely diced
1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

Method

1. Mix all of the salsa ingredients together.

2. Place somewhere cool for a few minutes before serving.

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Couple's Heart-Warming Annual Photobooth Pictures Document Their 14 Years Together

August 1, 2014, 9:18 am

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When Giles Paley-Phillips and his now wife Michelle popped into a photobooth in October 2000 aged 18 and 23 they'd been dating for a month.

They had no idea they were starting a life-long ritual.

In the 14 years since, the couple have taken a photobooth picture every year.

Now aged 36 and 32, Giles and Michelle have inadvertently created a beautiful illustration of their life together, documenting them getting engaged, then married, then having two children together.

Giles spoke to Rex news agency about what each of the pictures means to him.

SEE ALSO:

10 Lessons I've Learned in My First Five Months of Marriage

Woman Makes Powerful Selfie Time-Lapse Video To Raise Awareness For Trichotillomania

Over 50% Of Brits Check Their Work Emails While On Holiday

August 4, 2014, 1:38 am

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Do you check your emails on holiday? Even just once? If so, you're part of a worrying statistic of people that check their inbox while they're meant to be relaxing or off experiencing a new adventure.

Figures from online travel agent Travel Republic show that 52% will log in for work when they should officially be chilling out and 26% of those said they would respond to emails.

Researchers, who quizzed 1,000 UK-based office workers, found that younger employees were the most conscientious, with 38% of them claiming to read and respond to emails when they are away, compared with 29% of people aged 45-54.

Among those aged between 35-44, 45% said they let their out-of-office message do what it's intended for and never checked their emails.



Women were also more relaxed than men during their time off, with 54% saying they never looked at work emails, compared with 42% of men.

Reading work emails had cause 36% of couples to fall out and 70% of women confessed to having a problem with their other halves checking their emails on holiday compared with 58% of men who saw it as an issue.

Travel Republic's chief marketing officer Elliott Pritchard said most people felt relief when they took a break from work, but added: "We initially wanted to understand the emotions people experience when preparing to leave the office for annual leave, and the biggest emotion is 'relief' (46%).

"As workplaces become busier, annual leave becomes more of a luxury, but the reality is that many office workers cannot completely turn off."

This Video Of A Mother Trying To Put Her Kids To Bed Sums Up The Challenge of Having Twins

August 4, 2014, 2:14 am

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Ever wonder how parents with twins manage to do it without running off screaming into the wilderness?

This brilliant video from Norwegian mum Henriette Jonassen sums up how challenging it can be, while trying to put her (very cute) twin sons to bed.

Jonassen, who has her own blog about raising twins, wrote: "I've been struggling with getting my twins asleep for a few weeks now (due to extremely hot weather and long, sunny days), and I've tried different methods. This one was definitely the worst one! But it gave me a good laugh tho (sic).

"And BTW: they have always shared room, I just thought I'd try something different for a few days, and it turned out to be a bad idea."

SEE ALSO:

Miss England Director And A Former Winner Hit Back Against 'Banned For Being A Mother' Claims

We Adore Gwen Stefani's Stunning Breastfeeding Picture

The video went viral, and inevitably attracted online trolls who made some unpleasant comments.

In response to that, Jonassen wrote on her blog: "What I want to achieve, is to tell you that I’m not a bad mom. I’d do anything for my children, I really would."

(H/T: Cheezburger)

Woman Shamed For Her Stretch Marks Writes Amazing Facebook Response To Her Attackers

August 4, 2014, 2:36 am

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Stretch marks are a sign of strength and motherhood, so it boggles the mind as to why any person would want to shame a woman for having them.

Mother-of-five Tanis Jex-Blak, 33 from Canada, received insults from strangers as she sunbathed at Alberta Beach in a bikini for the first time since she had given birth to her first child 13 years ago.

After leaving the beach in tears, Tanis decided to post a picture of her body on Facebook along with an open letter to her attackers. The brave move has gained the support of thousands of people.



Tanis described the incident on the beach to Canada Global News: “All of a sudden I heard, ‘oh my god, look at that, that’s f***ing nasty, that’s disgusting, look how gross that is.'

“So I peeked my eyes open and [two men and a woman] were standing above me, looking down, pointing at me and pretending to kick me as I lay there.”

The letter Tanis posted online reads: "I'm sorry if my first attempt at sun tanning in a bikini in public in 13 years "grossed you out". I'm sorry that my stomach isn't flat and tight. I'm sorry that my belly is covered in stretch marks.

"I'm NOT sorry that my body has housed, grown, protected, birthed and nurtured FIVE fabulous, healthy, intelligent and wonderful human beings. I'm sorry if my 33 year old, 125 lb body offended you so much that you felt that pointing, laughing, and pretending to kick me. But I'll have you know that as I looked at your 'perfect' young bodies, I could only think to myself 'what great and amazing feat has YOUR body done?'.

"I'll also have you know that I held my head high, unflinching as you mocked me, pretending that what you said and did had no effect on me; but I cried in the car on the drive home. Thanks for ruining my day. It's people like you who make this world an ugly hateful place.

"I can't help but feel sorry for the women who will one day bear your children and become "gross" in your eyes as their bodies change during the miraculous process of pregnancy. I can only hope that one day you'll realize that my battle scars are something to be proud of, not ashamed of."

SEE ALSO:

Is Society Pushing Motherhood Out?

Five Incredible Things That Motherhood Has Taught Me (That I Wish I Knew Before)

The post has so far been shared over 6,000 times and liked over 8,000 times on Facebook. - so why has it proven to be so popular?

“I think [my post] struck a cord with so many people because other than supermodels, nobody’s perfect," Tanis told Canada's Metro. "Every mother, whether they have stretch marks or not, is embarrassed about our bodies because we don’t look like the supermodels.

"I hope more moms feel confident about the way their bodies look after bearing children. These aren't scars to be ashamed of. They are our badges of honor and we should wear them with pride."

Tanis, we couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Couple Perform 'You're The One That I Want' In Their Car - Using Sign Language

August 4, 2014, 2:50 am

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This is possibly the best version of 'You're The One That I Want' that you will ever see. That's right: it even surpasses Hylda Baker and Arthur Mullard's rendition.

It's performed by Tina Cleveland, an American Sign Language interpreter, and Paul Sirimarco - her "amazing fiancé who learns signs" so that together they can put on signed interpretations of songs.

Check out their wonderful version of 'You're The One That I Want' from 'Grease' above - and their YouTube channel for more songs, including 'Don't Stop Believin'' and 'Oh, What A Night'.

(Via Viral Viral Videos)

Bride Loses 11 Stone After Bystanders Abused Her With 'You're Fat' Taunts On Her Wedding Day

August 4, 2014, 2:57 am

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For many people, their wedding day is the happiest day of their life - but that wasn't the case for Chloe Dodds.

Chloe was shamed into losing 11 stone after passers-by teased her for being overweight as she posed for her wedding photos.

The 35-year-old wore a size 30 gown after ballooning to 21st 8lbs on a diet of Sugar Puffs, pizza and chips.



She was reduced to tears as by-standers heckled her with comments such as "you look so fat in that dress!" as she posed for pictures beside her wedding car.

The ceremony had to be delayed for 15 minutes as Chloe burst into tears as she walked down the aisle.

But the real shock came when her official wedding photos arrived - and she was so horrified by her appearance she vowed to lose weight.

She shed three stone before having a gastric bypass and her weight has now plummeted to just 10st 12lbs.



Carer Chloe, now a size 12, said: "I was mortified when I heard those comments. It was my wedding day and people had heckled me - I was a curvy bride but did I really deserve such taunts?

"As I looked through the wedding pictures, I couldn't believe how fat I was - I knew I couldn't carry on like that."

Chloe, of Seaham, Durham, peaked at 21st 8lbs before falling ill on a holiday to Ibiza in 2009 and losing two stone in two weeks.

She was then diagnosed with type two diabetes and her weight settled at around 19 stone when she got engaged to long-term boyfriend Paul, who she met online aged 21.

But when she went wedding dress shopping she realised most gowns were only available up to size 20 and she had to get a size 30 imported from America.



She only invited 15 people to her wedding because she was so conscious about her appearance and hid her dress away in a wardrobe until the big day in August 2010.

She said: "I checked myself out from every angle in the mirror, desperate to find a thin angle. But I was like a beacon in my dress. I just wanted to throw on my old, baggy black clothes and disappear.

"My mum wiped my tears away and assured me I looked beautiful."

A group of local residents had gathered around her wedding car outside, waiting to catch a glimpse of the bride.

But when she stepped out she was horrified to hear taunts of "You look awful!", "Fat bride!" and "You look so fat in that dress!".

Chloe said: "My heart broke into a thousand pieces. I thought I looked big when I'd put the dress on, but to hear it come from other people hurt so much more than my own criticism.

"I thought there was an unwritten rule that you always complimented a bride, no matter what."

Caring Paul reassured her when she arrived at Sunderland Register Office but the cutting comments had ruined her big day.

She said: "We posed for photographs outside the registry office. I smiled and laughed and I was happy, but a part of me was still so upset.

"Our guests were all complimentary, telling me I looked stunning. But the compliments fell on deaf ears. The damage was done."

Chloe quickly changed out of her wedding dress and into comfortable baggy clothes at the reception and vowed to change her ways.

SEE ALSO:

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She visited her doctor and explained that all previous diets, slimming classes and pills had failed and asked to be considered for a gastric band.

Chloe was referred to a specialist in February 2011 and was told to slim down to 18st before she could go under the knife.

She took two years to lose the weight and finally had the operation at Sunderland Royal Hospital in June last year.

Now, a year later, her diabetes has disappeared and she has slimmed down to a 10st 12lbs size 12.



"I physically can't eat much and I don't want to", said Chloe, who is a full-time carer for her mum Joyce, 59, along with husband Paul, 37.

"I eat a boiled egg for breakfast, a jacket potato with cheese for lunch and a small portion of shepherd's pie for dinner.

"I have some excess skin, which is common in rapid weight loss. I'm saving up to have my bingo wings removed. And after we've had children, I'll have a tummy tuck too.

"Those cruel jibes ruined my wedding day, but I think I got the last laugh. I'm finally who I want to be."

Proud hubbie Paul said: "I thought Chloe looked beautiful on our wedding day. What those people did was just cruel. But I'm proud of Chloe for losing weight - she looks even more fantastic now."

This Dog Will NOT Pose For Your Wedding Photos (VIDEO)

August 4, 2014, 3:08 am

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Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jethro.

Jethro the dog was the ring-bearer at a wedding - so naturally, the bride and groom wanted him to be part of their wedding photos.

Jethro, however, had other ideas...

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Why People Fear Dementia More Than They Do Cancer

August 4, 2014, 3:23 am

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As we get older, people are more fearful of developing dementia than cancer, a new poll has revealed.

Two thirds of people over the age of 50 fear that they will develop the condition while just one in 10 said they were frightened about getting cancer.

When 500 adults aged over 50 from across the UK were asked which condition they feared the most, 68% said dementia and 9.44% said cancer.

Meanwhile just 3.88% said they were frightened about getting a heart condition and 0.73% were concerned about developing diabetes.

There are around 800,000 people with dementia in the UK but as the population ages this figure is expected to soar in coming years.

SEE ALSO:

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Symptoms can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. It occurs when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes.

"As an increasing number of people are diagnosed with dementia more people are seeing the profound impact that it can have on both the individual as well as the wider family," said Paul Green, director of communications at over-50s company Saga, which conducted the survey.

"However whilst these fears are completely understandable, it's important that education around the condition is enhanced to give a greater understanding of the benefits of early diagnosis - and how this can help those living with the condition continue to lead fulfilling lives."

Commenting on the poll Hilary Evans, director of external affairs at charity Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "It's no surprise to learn that fear of dementia in people over 50 is high: dementia affects over 820,000 people in the UK and we currently lack treatments to tackle the condition.

"The challenge is to find new ways to treat and prevent dementia to show there is hope of taking on dementia and beating it. Research holds the answer to this devastating condition and with the number of people affected set to grow as the population ages, the need for investment in research has never been more urgent."

Alison Cook, director of external affairs at the Alzheimer's Society charity, added: "'The possibility of losing the very essence of what makes you the individual that you are is a frightening prospect.

"But fear can mean people don't get a diagnosis and can often miss the opportunity to access treatments (which are only effective for people in the earlier stages of the condition) and the time to make important decisions about their future.

We urge anyone concerned about dementia to speak to their GP and get in touch with Alzheimer's Society as there are lots of ways we can help."

Drunk Man Eats Kebab Through Its Styrofoam Box, Doesn't Even Care (VIDEO)

August 4, 2014, 3:31 am

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Two words: Broken. Britain.

Yes, this video has been uploaded to YouTube with the simple title 'Styrofoam Guy' - and we're not sure what else there is to say about it.

Other than: this chap is either very, very drunk or very, very hungry. Or possibly both.

Of course, it does rather beg the question: how bad is the food at this takeaway that he doesn't even notice-slash-care about the styrofoam?!

(Via Daily Picks And Flicks)

Why Your Diet Could Be Causing You To Lose Your Hair

August 4, 2014, 4:28 am

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The cure (and cause) for hair loss has been an elusive one, but could a simple change in your diet help?

While eating extra carrots, spinach or broccoli won't yield the same results as a hair transplant, it will help to promote healthy growth.

Topping up on protein rich foods (such as eggs) and those rich in omega fatty acids (walnuts, flax seeds and kale) will encourage proper growth, while sweet potatoes and broccoli, which contain high levels of vitamins E and C will keep hair supple and shiny.

SEE ALSO:

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Keep Your Hair Healthy and Strong

11 Ways To Prevent Hair Loss According To Experts

Hair loss expert and founder of Spexhair.com, Spencer Stevenson, says nutrients are key to aid that full head of hair.

"Just like skin, the condition of your hair is an outward sign of inside health. The cells that make up each strand of hair require a regular supply of key nutrients."

He also suggests adding zinc (which can be found in chickpeas, oysters and beef) to your diet: "Boosting tissue growth and repair, zinc helps keep your scalp and hair stay healthy.

It also regulates hormones (testosterone included) in the body and helps maintain production of oil-secreting glands on the scalp that help your hair grow."

This Guy Asked 200 Total Strangers If They'd Have Sex With Him. Watch What Happened.

August 4, 2014, 4:31 am

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He didn't ask them all at the same time, we hasten to add - but one by one. So that's something, eh?

Yes, this American chap tried a, erm, interesting social experiment during his two-week trip to Europe: he asked 200 women, completely directly, if they would have sex with him.

As he says: "There was a pretty wide range of reactions from amusement, shock, interest, disinterest, disgust, flattery. The majority of people I talked to reacted positively - positively in the sense that they were not offended and actually found the whole thing interesting/humorous/amusing."

When he previously tried the same 'experiment' in America, he got a straight 200 'No's out of 200. But in Europe? Well, check out the video above to see what happened.

Our favourite responses are probably from the women who just laughed in his face. Hoorah!

Cavity Pose - The Bizarre Japanese Fashion Trend Meant To Slim Your Face Goes Viral

August 4, 2014, 4:37 am

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We're used to seeing bizarre trends in the world of fashion and this one is certainly no exception.

The latest trend in Japan is posing with your hand to your face as if you have a toothache - the move, called 'mushiba no poozu' or 'mushiba poozu' in Japanese, literally translates as 'cavity pose'.

Donning the position is thought to make a woman appear cuter, slimmer and therefore more beautiful - disturbing right?

Does everybody have toothache? #cavitypose #whatsyourfavouritepose pic.twitter.com/FBaEjbGX2D

— Postalgia (@PostalgiaPrints) July 3, 2014

Some of the world's leading magazines currently feature models who look like they need to see a dentist - and the good people of Twitter have picked up on it with many asking: "does everybody have toothache?".

But despite its undeniable ridiculousness, the trend has made the transition from fashion pages to social media, with many members of the public posting their own cavity poses on Instagram and Twitter.

The new photo trend in #Japan has arrived! You guys think I'm kawaii enough for the new pose?->http://t.co/s7r5QqpBBi pic.twitter.com/aF7h5QsFTQ

— Palma-san (@JapanRealm) July 1, 2014

According to the MailOnline, the 'cavity pose' fad began last year, but has gained momentum in Japan since the trend spread to art, popular cartoons and even national magazines.



H/T: The MailOnline

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Yaeba: Japanese 'Double Tooth' Trend Will Give You A Costly Crooked Smile (PICTURES)