Cancer risk to babies whose dads smoke when they are conceived

December 15, 2011, 9:56 pm

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Doctors have warned that men who smoke when they are trying for a baby could increase the risk of their child suffering from cancer.

The advice comes as a result of an Australian study which suggested that poisons in tobacco smoke damage the DNA in sperm, affecting the future health of the child when it is still in the womb.

Researchers in Perth, Australia, said: "Women who intend to start a family are informed that smoking during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the health of the baby but the anti-smoking message is not often directed at potential fathers."

As part of their research they questioned the parents of 388 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which is the most common childhood cancer. It affects one in 2,000 children and 15 per cent will not survive.

The scientists found that the mother's smoking habits had no impact on the risk of cancer but the sufferers whose fathers smoked at conception were 15 per cent more likely to develop the cancer. Those whose fathers smoked at least 20 a day were 44 per cent more likely to be affected.

Although the study can't totally prove that the man's smoking raised the odds of cancer, doctors are now urging men to quit before conception.

Dr Allan Pacey, a male fertility expert from Sheffield University, told The Daily Mail: "There have been several studies suggesting that the risk of a child developing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was increased if their fathers were smokers.

"This paper adds further weight to that theory and as a consequence I would agree that it is good advice for both men and women who are trying to start a family to give up smoking.

"The sperm production process takes about three months from start to finish so couples planning pregnancy should bear this in mind. Stopping smoking on Friday will not lead to an improvement in sperm DNA by Monday. But stopping smoking in December may see things get better by March."

Did you partner smoke during your pregnancy? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out how to reduce your risk of breast cancer...

Breast cancer risk factors you can control

• Drinking alcohol
  <p> Drinking alcohol elevates oestrogen levels, and studies have found that cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.&nbsp;</p>
• Smoking
  <p> While studies haven't shown any direct link between smoking and increased risk of breast cancer, secondhand smoke may be linked to a higher incidence of breast cancer. Considering how harmful smoking is for other reasons, part of a healthy lifestyle involves stubbing out.&nbsp;</p>
• Birth control pills
  <p> Studies have shown that women taking birth control pills have a&nbsp;slightly elevated risk of developing breast cancer, which is also related to how many years you take the pill for and when you started. Evidence suggests that&nbsp;10 or more years after women stop taking oral contraceptives, their risk of developing breast cancer returns to the same level as if they had never used birth control pills at all.&nbsp;</p>
• Exercise
  <p> Studies have found that exercise helps to reduce breast cancer risk. Combine regular exercise with a healthy diet and low intake of saturated fat and alcohol for maximum benefit.</p>
• Red meat and a high-fat diet
  <p> A diet low in saturated fats which restricts red meat and other animal fats and is rich in veg and whole grains is recommended. Some studies have found an increased risk between red meat and breast cancer. Synthetic hormones used in the meat are thought to be responsible.</p>
• Breasfeeding
  <p> Studies have suggested that breastfeeding may lower a woman's risk of breast cancer. It's unclear exactly why, but it is thought that women's oestrogen levels remain stable when breastfeeding since they do not ovulate as regularly.</p>
• Say 'no' to long-term HRT
  <p> Hormone replacement therapy (a combination of oestrogen and progesterone) - used to replace female hormones to treat symptoms of the menopause and prevent osteoporosis - has been linked to increased breast cancer risk. Oestrogen treatment alone, when used for less than 10 years, does not seem to elevate risk, however.</p>
• Being overweight/obese
  <p> Being overweight or obese is linked to higher rates of breast cancer, particularly in post-menopausal women. Excess abdominal fat is something to watch out for in particular since it raises oestrogen levels and a woman's lifetime oestrogen exposure is directly related to her breast cancer risk.&nbsp;</p>

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Cake and Eat It: Stout and ginger cake

December 15, 2011, 10:00 pm

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Filed under: Food

Jassy Davis

This week's recipe is dedicated to everyone who hates fruitcake - this dairy-free version flavoured with winter spices and stout is the perfect Christmas cake alternative.

Because fruitcakes will be materialising in every home over the next week. They've been tucked away, spoon-fed brandy, rum, whisky, port (or all four) for weeks until they're sodden with booze and heavy enough to act as a doorstop.

Swaddled in marzipan and icing, they'll sit on the table and, at the point in the festive celebrations when everyone's waistbands are on the point of snapping, someone will cheerily ask if anyone would like a slice of Christmas cake. Everyone will croak: "No!" and the poor fruitcake will be left on the side, unwanted and unloved for another Christmas.

It takes weeks to work your way through a fruitcake. Weeks of nibbling at the icing and marzipan and trying to pick out the cherries and the nuts. But we persist because it's traditional to have a fruitcake, and tradition is the cement that holds Christmas together.

However, it's always possible to start a new tradition. For those who want to rebel against the seasonal tyranny of sultanas and candied peel, this stout and ginger cake based on The Gramercy Tavern's gingerbread recipe has all the aromatic spices and boozy richness I associate with Christmas cake but without the cannonball heaviness. It also keeps well for at least a week, so you can have it ready to slice and serve to guests who unexpectedly drop by for a bit of Christmas cheer.

I've iced it with royal icing to give it snowy peaks. It would also be really good iced with cream cheese icing or just served with a spoonful of brandy butter or a pool of soured cream.

Stout and ginger cake

45 minutes to prepare, 1 hour 5 minutes to cook

Serves 10

Cook's note: Suitable for vegetarians; dairy-free; icing contains raw egg whites

200ml sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing

250ml stout

250g treacle

2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

250g self-raising flour, sifted

2 tbsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

A pinch each of freshly grated nutmeg, ground cloves and ground mixed spice

Grated zest of 1 orange

75g stem ginger in syrup, drained and chopped

4 medium eggs, beaten

200g light soft brown sugar

50g apricot jam

3 medium egg whites

500g icing sugar, sifted

1 tsp vegetable glycerine (optional)

Jassy Davis

Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C/fan oven 160°C. Lightly grease a 22cm cake tin with sunflower oil and line the base with baking parchment. Set aside.

Place the stout and treacle in a pan and gently heat, stirring, until melted and combined. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda (it will foam) and set aside.

Sift the flour and spices together and stir in the orange zest and stem ginger. Set aside.

Whisk the eggs and light brown sugar together until combined and frothy. Whisk in the sunflower oil, then whisk in the treacle mix. Fold in the dry ingredients to combine. Pour into the cake tin and bake for 1 hour or until risen, firm and springy to the touch. Cool in the tin.

Once the cake is cold, carefully turn out of the tin and remove the baking parchment. You'll probably need to slice the risen top off to get an even surface. If you do, place the cake on a flat board and, keeping you eyes level with the top of the cake, slice off the top with a serrated knife using a gentle sawing motion.

Place your cake board or serving plate on top of the cake, then flip so the cake is cut-side-down on the board/plate.

Warm the jam in a small pan for 1-2 minutes or until runny, press through a sieve into a small bowl and paint over the cake to smooth it down and get all the crumbs to cling together.

To make the icing, place the egg whites in a glass or copper bowl and whisk until frothy. Stir in the icing sugar, one spoonful at a time, until you have a thick icing. Add the glycerine (if using, the glycerine stops the icing from setting hard all the way through) and whisk for about 5-10 minutes or until the icing forms stiff peaks.

Spread the icing over the cake with a palette knife to thickly coat it, then use a butter knife to spike the icing up into peaks. Leave overnight to set. Leave plain or decorate to serve. Eat within a week.

 

A heavy lunch could make you a dangerous driver

December 15, 2011, 10:34 pm

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Tucking into a big lunch could make you more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel, say scientists from Loughborough University.

A new study has found that eating a fatty and sugary meal - even without alcohol - can make it harder to concentrate on the road.

Men under 30 are statistically most likely to fall asleep behind the wheel, so 12 young men attended the university's sleep research centre, where they ate beef lasagne and toffee yoghurt for lunch.

Half were given diet versions containing 305 calories and the rest were given the normal versions which contained 922 calories.

All of them normally slept well but had only slept for five hours the night before.

After lunch they were put into a driving simulator where they began a two-hour-long boring 'drive' along a dual carriageway.

Those who ate the fatty lunch started off the same as those who had the light lunch but after the first half hour they were more likely to drift into the other lane - and didn't even realise that they were becoming tired.

Researcher Louise Reyner believes that this happens because a big lunch, and a high fat intake, can exacerbate the effects of a poor night's sleep.

AA president Edmund King told The Daily Mail: "Having a big lunch does tend to tire people out.

"Racing drivers tend to have high-protein, high-energy food and not masses of it, something like a dish of pasta with small strips of smoked salmon.

"If that works for Michael Schumacher and other racing drivers and keeps them alert for 45 laps of the track, perhaps that's something that other drivers can learn from."

Does a big lunch make you feel sleepy? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some high-energy protein foods...

Top high-protein foods

• Chicken breast
  <p> Most lean meats, like chicken or turkey breast, provide around 30 grams of protein in a 100 gram serving. Chicken makes a great meal (just add in a variety of beans and veggies to supplement it) and is even healthier without the skin.</p>
• Cottage cheese
  <p> A cup of cottage cheese has roughly the same amount of protein as a three-ounce chicken breast, and is low in fat and calories. Team with fruit as a tasty breakfast option.&nbsp;</p>
• Eggs
  <p> Forget the cholesterol-filled yolk and focus on the protein-packed egg white, which is full of other health-boosting vitamins and minerals like iron and calcium.&nbsp;Integrate the humble egg into your diet by scrambling, hard boiling or whipping into an egg white omelette.</p>
• Lobster (and other shellfish)
  <p> It's a luxury, but the next time someone treats you to a dinner out, remember that lobster is full of protein (over 26 grams per 100g serving). Try it baked, steamed or in a tasty bisque. Prawns and crabs are also protein-packed.</p>
• Marmite (yeast extract spread)
  <p> Love it or hate it, Marmite has 38.4 grams of protein per 100g and is also full of nutritious goodies like B vitamins and vitamin B12, folic acid, thiamin, niacin and riboflavin. Try spreading it on a whole wheat cracker as an afternoon pick-me-up.&nbsp;</p>
• Oatmeal
  <p> Oatmeal offers a good combination of high protein (6 grams per 100g, which is higher than other grains) and healthy carbs. Add some cinnamon to amp up the flavour and you can even sprinkle on some whey protein powder or egg white for an additional protein boost. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
• Peanut butter (and other nut butters)
  <p> With four grams of protein per tablespoon, peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and tastes delicious spread on wholemeal toast for breakfast.&nbsp;If you're looking for a different flavour (or have a peanut allergy), try almond or hazelnut butter as a topping on apple or banana slices.</p>
• Seeds
  <p> Start sprinkling. Sunflower, flax and pumpkin seeds are full of protein and easy to integrate into your diet. Eat them on their own, in salads and as a topping on everything from cottage cheese to veg and meat dishes.</p>
• Oily fish
  <p> Oily fish like tuna and salmon are protein-packed (up to 30g per 100g serving), and are also full of Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aim for one to two servings of oily fish per week.</p>
• Parmesan cheese
  <p> With 36 grams of protein per 100 gram serving (even more if you opt for low-sodium parmesan) our favourite pasta dish topper is an excellent source of protein. But be wary - protein-packed cheeses tend to also be full of fat and calories.&nbsp;If you're looking for a healthier alternative to cheese-sprinkled pasta every night, try Parmesan grated over veggies or grilled chicken for a delicious meal or snack.</p>
• Soya beans (and other beans)
  <p> A great way to integrate protein-rich food into your diet is with beans like lentils, black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans and broad beans.&nbsp;Soya beans, in particular, are full of protein as well as high levels of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Soya beans have also been shown to lower cholesterol levels and taste great on their own or in a salad.</p>

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Top reasons to do yoga

December 16, 2011, 12:00 am

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While trying to bend your body into a downward facing dog position may not seem like the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon, yoga is full of amazing benefits, from stress relief to muscle toning.

With all of the hustle, bustle and stress at this time of year, we've compiled a list of top reasons to do yoga. Whether you just need to escape from Christmas planning or are looking for a new workout, yoga may be just what you need to start the New Year off on a (well-balanced) foot.

Top reasons to do yoga

• Improved circulation
  <p> The unusual positions you put your body in during yoga help boost the body's vascular and lymphatic systems, which improve circulation (ensuring oxygenated blood gets to cells more effectively) and help the body fight infection.&nbsp;</p> <div> </div>
• Stress relief
  <p> The combination of controlled breathing, meditating, stretching and moving from one physical posture to another help to connect the mind and body. Yoga is known to help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which, at high levels, can be linked to depression and high blood pressure.</p>
• Increase flexibility
  <p> Can't touch your toes? Not to worry. You'll soon be in a backbend. All of the stretches in yoga help increase your flexibility, lengthening the muscles, tendons and ligaments gradually over time. Since tight muscles can lead to poor posture, you may notice yourself standing an inch or two taller as well.&nbsp;</p>
• Better breathing
  <p> In yoga, you breathe in and out through the nose, taking longer, slower breaths. Not only does this help optimise lung function, it increases the amount of oxygen available in the body and helps you feel more relaxed.</p>
• Increased strength
  <p> Unlike a gym session, when you practise yoga postures, you increase strength while simultaneously increasing flexibility. Stronger muscles help protect our bones and prevent against ailments like back pain. Also, yoga poses require and build up that core abdominal strength that is so difficult to achieve - so you have something more exciting to look forward to than sit-ups.&nbsp;</p>
• Weight loss
  <p> While less vigorous yoga sessions have been criticised for their fitness benefits, a flow class will definitely get you moving, have your muscles working and ensure you're burning cals. Plus, since yoga is associated with a more positive outlook and healthy eating, you may find that yoga inspires you to ditch the crisps in favour of healthier options.</p>
• Peace of mind
  <p> From stress to insecurity issues, we're all coping with a lot on a daily basis. Yoga provides a positive outlet to quiet our minds (unlike, say, drinking), allowing you to reconnect mind and body. Studies have found that it can also help elevate moods.</p>
• Pain relief
  <p> The ancient Eastern practice has been known to help reduce pain in people with ailments like arthritis. Yoga postures also <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/10/31/yoga-improves-chronic-lower-back-pain_n_1068683.html" target="_self">improve chronic back pain</a>, according to a study from the University of York.&nbsp;</p>

 

Winter skin: Bargain buys

December 16, 2011, 1:00 am

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Bliss

Chapped lips? Dry, flaky skin? Cracked hands? Winter is upon us, and already the colder weather and harsh winds are wreaking havoc on our skin, right in the middle of the party season.

From lip balm to body lotion, we've compiled a list of winter skin savers that will help keep your skin hydrated, healthy and protected. What's more, these winter skin products won't hurt your already-distressed-from-Christmas-shopping wallet - they all retail for under £15.

Winter skin: Bargain buys

• A hydrating body butter
  <p> </p> <div style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; "> <p> Eco-loving brand Naked's 24 Hour Naked Coco de Mer Body Butter is perfect for skin that needs serious quenching. Ultra-thick and creamy, this cream is best applied in the evenings so you can really rub it in for maximum hydration. Made from shea butter, passionflower oil and coconut extract.</p> <p> 24 Hour Naked Coco de Mer Body Butter, &pound;4.99, <a href="http://www.nakedbodycare.co.uk/24-hour-naked-coco-de-mer-body-butter.html" target="_blank">Naked Body Care</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p> </div>
• A trusty lip balm
  <p> Originally created on the family stove in the 1930s, Carmex is still going strong. The handy yellow tube, non-greasy feel and moisturising properties which relieve dry, chapped lips all make this a cult classic at a wallet-friendly price.</p> <p> Carmex lip balm tube, &pound;3, <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33057&amp;storeId=12556&amp;productId=2136372&amp;langId=-1&amp;cmpId=&amp;viewAllFlag=false&amp;sort_field=Relevance&amp;beginIndex=1&amp;pageSize=20&amp;categoryId=233075&amp;parent_categoryId=223056" target="_blank">Topshop</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• An antioxidant-rich cleanser
  <p> The newest range from Yes To - Yes To Blueberries - is aimed at refreshing and rejuvenating skin. The brand's cleanser contains lemon peel to cleanse and antioxidant-packed apple to brighten skin, making it perfect for the winter months when your skin has lost its glow.&nbsp;</p> <div> </div> <div> Yes To Blueberries Smoothing Daily Cleanser, &pound;12.99, <a href="http://www.victoriahealth.com/product/Smoothing-Daily-Cleanser/9504/0/" target="_blank">Victoria Health</a></div> <div> </div> <div> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></div>
• A non-greasy hand cream
  <p> Even if you're wearing gloves every day, chances are your hands are still suffering from the winter weather. This nourishing hand cream from Decleor not only hydrates, it also helps limit the signs of ageing like fine lines and age spots.&nbsp;</p> <p> Decleor Hand Care Cream, &pound;14, <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.223912.cm_scid.KeywordSearch" target="_blank">QVC</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• An everyday moisturiser
  <p> Sensitive skin is even more vulnerable in winter since it's prone to redness and dryness. The newest product from Olay, Total Effects Sensitive moisturiser, protects delicate skin and strengthens skin's moisture barrier thanks to vitamins B3 and B5. A stronger defense barrier against the elements will also help with anti-ageing.&nbsp;</p> <p> <a href="http://www.olay.co.uk/" target="_blank">Olay</a>&nbsp;Total Effects Sensitive 7-in-1 Day Moisturiser with SPF15, &pound;14.29, available in stores nationwide from January</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A lip scrub
  <p> Exfoliate that chapped pout with this sugar lip scrub from Bliss. It will buff away the flakes and leave your mouth moisturised. Plus, your party lipstick is more likely to stay put on a happy, hydrated pucker.</p> <p> Bliss Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub, &pound;12, <a href="http://www.blissworld.co.uk/bliss-fabulips-sugar-lip-scrub/" target="_blank">Bliss</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A thorough makeup remover
  <p> With all of the additional stresses vexing your skin in winter, crusty makeup (and spots as a result of failing to take off the war paint) shouldn't be one of your worries. Clinique's Take the Day Off Makeup Remover is a gentle way to scrub off your holiday party face without having to rub harshly.</p> <p> Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips, &pound;14.50, <a href="http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1589/5380/How-to-Guide/PM/Take-The-Day-Off-Makeup-Remover-For-Lids-Lashes-Lips/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Clinique</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A thirsty skin-quenching face mask
  <p> Winter is the time to start integrating at least a weekly face mask into your skincare routine, to keep your face hydrated and reduce redness. This version from The Body Shop is packed with Vitamin E and works for all skin types.</p> <p> Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask, &pound;12, <a href="http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/_en/_gb/catalog/product.aspx?ParentCatCode=C_SkinCare&amp;CatCode=C_SkinCare_ExfoliatorsMasks&amp;prdcode=19959m" target="_blank">The Body Shop</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A soothing eye gel
  <p> Cold and flu season definitely takes a toll on your eye area, making the delicate skin underneath your eyes puffy and red. Simple's eye roller is a cooling and soothing eye pick-me-up with refreshing cucumber and de-puffing lupin extract. It will also help fight those dark circles after a sleepless night.</p> <p> Simple Kind To Eyes Revitalising Eye Roll-On, &pound;4.99, <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Eyes-Revitalising-Eye-Roll-On-15ml_1110435/" target="_blank">Boots</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A foot-saver
  <p> Since it's not exactly pedicure season, your feet can get neglected in the winter months, but they still need some TLC. Scrub off dead, flaky skin with this double-sided foot paddle - especially useful before you put your dancing shoes on and head out for the night.</p> <p> Origins foot paddle, &pound;5, <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Origins+Foot+Paddle/733055413,default,pd.html" target="_blank">House of Fraser</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A moisture-rich night cream
  <p> </p> <div style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; "> <p> Since your skin needs extra attention in winter, it's important to remember a night cream as well as a daily moisturiser. This wrinkle-fighting night cream by Soap &amp; Glory really hydrates your skin before bed (especially necessary if you've had a party night and not enough water) and the retro pink tub looks gorgeous on your bedside table.&nbsp;</p> <p> Night in Shining Armour night cream, &pound;13,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.soapandglory.com/products/skincare/face-moisturizers-serums/night-in-shining-armour-trade" target="_blank">Soap &amp; Glory</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p> </div>
• A pampering scrub
  <p> There's no time like winter for a little bathtime indulgence. This hot scrub with ginger, eucalyptus and exfoliating sea salt lets you replicate the Turkish bath experience at home, and makes for a cleansing, warming and invigorating experience.</p> <p> Rituals Hammam Hot Scrub, &pound;12.90, <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Home-Show" target="_blank">House of Fraser</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A moisture spray
  <p> Caudalie's moisturising grape water spritz is a summer must-have, but it's also a useful winter skin saver which keeps skin hydrated and refreshed on the go. Especially useful after a stretch of time in the office spent next to the moisture-sapping radiator, and as a quick hydrating-boost pre-holiday party.</p> <p> Caudalie Organic Grape Water, &pound;7, <a href="http://www.hqhair.com/caudalie-organic-grape-water-spray-100ml/10306663.html?utm_source=googleprod&amp;utm_medium=gp&amp;utm_campaign=gp_skincare" target="_blank">HQhair</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• A body cleansing bar
  <p> Soap tends to dry skin out, so be sure to use one with hydrating properties, like Trilogy's Body Cleansing Bar, especially formulated for sensitive skin and made from botanical oils like evening primrose and jojoba.&nbsp;</p> <p> Trilogy Body Cleansing Bar, &pound;5.50, <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Trilogy+Body+Cleansing+Bar+135g/143799681,default,pd.html" target="_blank">House of Fraser</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>
• Exfoliating wipes
  <p> Perfect for winter travel or gals on the go (a proper morning exfoliation can be time-consuming), these wipes remove flaky skin and dead skin cells so your face looks fresh and feels soft.</p> <p> Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes, &pound;3.99, <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Skin-Exfoliating-Facial-Wipes-25_6346/" target="_blank">Boots</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=240" target="_blank">- Shop skincare</a></p>

 

One in five women aged 45 is now childless

December 16, 2011, 1:18 am

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New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that one in five women aged 45 has no children, compared with one in nine women born in 1938.

Experts consider the age of 45 to mark the end of a woman's childbearing years, and these new figures put childlessness at a 45-year-high.

Reasons for this drop include greater acceptability of a child-free lifestyle, changes in the perceived cost and benefits of having children, fewer women choosing to get married and the fact that some women are waiting to long to try for a baby.

The figures also show that women born in the 1960s and 1970s had fewer children by the age of 30 than previous generations, as more opted to enter higher education and have careers as well as delaying marriage.

However researchers then noticed an upturn in family size shortly after their 30th birthdays, resulting in one in 10 45-year-old women having four or more children by 2010, compared with one in five women born in 1938.

Experts predict that the trend towards childlessness won't continue. At the moment, 20 per cent of 45-year-olds have no offspring and they are predicting that when women born in 1980 finish having children, this will fall to 14 per cent.

The average completed family size is also expected to increase for women born in 1980 to 2.01 and peak at 2.03 among those born in the early 1980s. It is expected to reduce again for those born in the 1990s.

The rise in IVF treatment, which often leads to multiple births, has also resulted in the highest fertility rate since 1973.

This is because, on average, one in four IVF pregnancies results in twins or triplets, compared with one in 80 where the baby is conceived naturally.

Are you childless at the age of 45? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to see the new face of 40...

The new face of 40

• Nicole Kidman, 42
  As a naturally pale-skinned redhead, Nicole Kidman's fear of getting burnt means she has avoided the ageing rays of the sun and retained her youthful complexion. But bunny line evidence means she's probably had a little help from Botox.
• Halle Berry, 43
  Halle Berry puts her enviable figure down to regular cardio and free weights. And the 43-year-old insists that her fabulous skin tone is half genetic, half healthy diet and exercise.
• Kylie Minogue, 41
  Pop princess Kylie Minogue doesn't seem to have aged since Charlene married Scott. But last year Kylie told Elle Magazine that she had "tried it all" ? and that includes Botox. Sadly that perfect booty is all her own work.<br/>
• Julia Roberts, 42
  At 42, Julia Roberts is still very much a Pretty Woman. She claims that her happy family life keeps her young and beautiful. But rather surprisingly, Julia also confesses that she "needs to wash her face more" and regularly goes two weeks without washing her hair after a trip to the salon.
• Rachel Weisz, 40
  Rachel Weisz has only just hit the big four-O but she is already getting ahead of the ageing game. Reportedly obsessed with beauty products, moisturiser every morning, skin-brightener for the red carpet and concealer to hide redness are all Rachel regulars. She also says: "I don't set foot in the sun without a big hat."
• Jennifer Aniston, 41
  Jennifer Aniston turned 40 last year and is a slave to her beauty regime. As well as anti-cellulite spa treatments, Jen is rumoured to brush her luscious locks three times a day, brush her lips with sugar and water and drinks a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice each morning. Add to that her zone diet and well-documented love of yogalosophy and it's a wonder she doesn't look more tired.
• Cate Blanchett, 40
  Cate Blanchett credits her mother with instilling in her the importance of skincare. She stays out of the sun and stays moisturised (SK-II is her lotion of choice). She does not, however, do Botox insisting that "actresses shouldn't have a mask for a face". With skin like hers, who needs face-freezing?
• Catherine Zeta-Jones, 40
  Catherine Zeta-Jones takes the homemade route to beauty. She insists that the secret of her youthful appearance is to be found in the kitchen cupboard. And that means a honey and salt rub to moisturise and exoliate her body, using strawberries to cleanse her teeth and washing her hair in beer.
• Renee Zellweger, 40
  Despite bulking up for Bridget Jones and slimming down again afterwards, Renee Zellweger manages to keep herself young and energised with plenty of running (not to mention six trips to the gym each week). But if the rumours are true, facial fillers, lip collagen and Botox might just have aided her cause.
• Claudia Schiffer, soon to be 40
  Claudia Schiffer turns 40 this year and as a former supermodel, she knows a thing or too about retaining that youthful look. She insists on drinking a litre of water and several cups of peppermint tea each day for that healthy glow.

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Dithering makes you miserable

December 16, 2011, 6:40 pm

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If a simple trip to the supermarket always involves you struggling to choose between two types of biscuits, experts say that you're setting yourself up for a lifetime of misery.

US researchers have identified two different types of decision-makers: 'maximisers', who obsess over every choice before and after they make it, and 'satisficers' who are happy with whatever decision they make.

As a result, the researchers at Florida State University say that maximisers can never really enjoy the benefits of their actions and make themselves miserable as a result. Their indecisiveness can have serious consequences - ruining careers and relationships, and it can even damage their health.

The study's author, Professor Joyce Ehrlinger, said: "Maximisers miss out on the psychological benefits of commitment, leaving them less satisfied than their more contented counterparts, the satisficers.

"Because maximisers want to be certain they have made the right choice, they are less likely to fully commit to a decision. And most likely, they are less happy in their everyday lives."

She adds: "A maximisers level of contentment creates a lot of stress, so the trait could potentially have an enormous effect on health.

"It's not just coffee-maker purchases they stress over - and second-guess themselves about - it's also the big life decisions such as choosing a mate, buying a house or applying for a job."

Researchers are now trying to understand whether maximisers can change and spare themselves the stress that comes from their chronic indecisiveness.

Do you dither over every decision? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some effective ways to boost your mood...

Ten quick ways to get happy

• Look in the mirror and smile
  <p> The last thing you feel like doing when you're down is smiling. However studies show the mere act of drawing your lips up at the corners releases endorphins, which help you feel happier. Go on - try it!</p>
• Get creative
  <p> Paint a picture, write a poem, compose a song or learn to knit - try something new to focus your attention on something outside yourself. You'll have something to show for it if you get stuck in, so don't stagnate, create!</p>
• Babysit
  <p> Being around small children is great for your mood. It gets the focus off your own problems and you can let your hair down and be really silly, as they'll love you for it!</p>
• Clear your space
  <p> If you're buried under a mountain of clutter it's very hard to make plans or feel on top of things. Spend an hour sorting out your space and you'll feel a sense of accomplishment afterwards.</p>
• Hug a pet
  <p> Whether cats, dogs, hamsters or tortoises float your boat, spending a little time with a pet can brighten your mood. Studies show stroking a cat or dog can help lower blood pressure, so it's good for your physical health too!</p>
• Phone a friend
  <p> Reach out to someone you care about or a person you haven't talked to in a long time. A good natter will perk you up and you can use the time to make some cheerful plans to do something in the future together.</p>
• Wash your hair
  <p> Grab some peppermint shampoo and head to the shower if moping about has left you feeling grungy. Show yourself some attention by washing your hair, painting your nails or soaking in a bath - whatever makes you feel a bit pampered.</p>
• Take one for the team
  <p> Join a team and you're on the road to feeling more positive. Whether it's darts, football or a pub quiz, getting on side can really help you get over a bad mood.</p>
• Eat cake!
  <p> Indulge in a little of what you fancy. If you're on a strict diet, make sure you occasionally include your favourite foods, otherwise life can be a bit grey. Sometimes the only solution really is a nice slice of cake.</p>
• Sing!
  <p> Turn on the radio or put on some music and sing as loud as you can. It doesn't matter if you're any good - it's the action that counts. Think 'Twist and Shout' by the Beatles (complete with dance moves) rather than Joy Division.</p>

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Melanie Sykes recreates her favourite childhood Christmas photo

December 16, 2011, 6:58 pm

≫ Next: Craig Revel Horwood admits to 'moob job'

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Filed under: Celebrity

Nikon COOLPIX

Re-creating images from your childhood has become an internet sensation thanks to artist Ze Frank and his website Young Me/Now Me.

And now Melanie Sykes has got in on the act and posed for a photograph that's just like her favourite childhood Christmas photo.

Melanie, who re-created the image as part of a Christmas campaign for Nikon COOLPIX cameras, wore an identical red outfit and clutched the same fairy tale annual that she did in 1974.

She said: "Recreating my childhood Christmas photograph has made me realise that there's nothing like looking through old photos to conjure up memories. I had great fun recreating this picture; it really took me back to that moment: I look so chuffed with my Christmas present! I'll definitely be using my COOLPIX this Christmas to capture festive pictures of my kids so I can look back at them in a few years."

Mel later tweeted: "Have you noticed how dirty my knees are in the old photo? Makes me smile xxxx"

Would you like to create a Young Me/Now Me photograph? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for the best Christmas gadget gifts...

Top 10 Christmas gadget gifts

• Final - Dyson Hot
  <p> He's worked his magic on the vacuum cleaner and hand dryer. Now it's the turn of the humble fan heater to get the Sir James Dyson treatment. A breakthrough product, the Hot rocks state-of-the-art Air Multiplier technology to create instant room-filling heat &ndash; without any the noise or burning smells bog-standard heaters tend to produce.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=914161703/search=dyson+hot ">Dyson Hot</a> - from &pound;266.98</p> <p> Love this? <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_elec.php/st=category">Shop for more gadgets</a></p>
• 9 - Nintendo 3DS
  <p> It's been out for a while now and has had its fair share of critics bemoaning the lack of decent games. But with must-have newly-released titles like Super Mario 3D Land slated to sell like hot cakes, the Nintendo 3DS is hotter than ever this Christmas.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=857163792/search=nintendo+3ds">Nintendo 3DS</a> - &pound;129.99</p>
• 8 - Panasonic 3D Blu-ray player
  <p> Introduce that special someone to the wonderful world of Blu-ray with this top-rated player by Panasonic. A snip at just under &pound;100, they'll be blown away by its 2D-3D capabilities, high quality image-processing technology and the ultra-fast loading speeds.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=857396564/search=Panasonic+DMP-BDT110EB">Panasonic DMP-BDT110EB 3D Blu-ray player</a> - from &pound;98.26</p>
• 7 - Monster Cable Beats by Dr Dre
  <p> The oversized ear candy to be seen in, legendary hip hop artist Dr Dre has sparked a trend with these hard-to-beat deluxe headphones. Designed to reveal the full sound of digital music, they'll be bowled over by the powered amplification, cutting-edge speaker design and awesome noise cancelling.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=796278542/search=beats+dr+dre ">Monster Cable Beats by Dr Dre</a> - from &pound;195.70</p>
• 6 - Samsung 3D Plasma TV
  <p> With the 3D revolution in full swing, it's hardly surprising prices are starting to fall. But we're still amazed that this hefty 43&rdquo; 3D plasma comes in at less than &pound;500. Bursting with cool features including the HyperReal Engine, Wide Colour enhancer and Real Black Filter, it's an incredible bit of kit for the price point.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=871020194/search=Samsung+PS43D490">Samsung PS43D490 43&rdquo; 3D Plasma TV</a> - from &pound;439.99</p> <p> </p>
• 5 - iPod Touch 64GB new white model
  <p> The last word in portable media players gets a refresh for Christmas 2011. The new white model rocks a new oleophobic coating, an improved light sensor and includes iOS 5 with over 200 new features - the perfect pressie for Apple aficionados.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=915632208/search=ipod+touch+white">New iPod Touch 64GB</a> - from &pound;299</p> <p> </p>
• 4 - Sony Bloggie 3D
  <p> The world's smallest HD 3D camcorder, this genius point and shoot device captures five megapixel photos, Full HD video and detail-packed stills in glorious 3D. Only weighing a tiny 120g, this pocket-sized beauty also features a flip-out USB cable and integrated sharing software.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=855478990/search=sony+bloggie+3d">Sony Bloggie 3D</a> - from &pound;184.99</p>
• 3 - Xbox 360 Kinect
  <p> Yes, it was massive hit last Christmas. But the revolutionary Kinect Sensor still makes it into our top three for 2011. A must for Xbox gamers, it features revolutionary 3D body tracking technology, picking up on gestures, commands and directions to place the user at the centre of the game.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=822527282/search=kinect">Xbox 360 Kinect </a>- from &pound;99.98</p>
• 2 - New Kindle Basic
  <p> With no UK release date set for Amazon's much-hyped Kindle Fire tablet, console your tech-minded bookworm with the new basic Kindle. Smaller, lighter and boasting better E Ink than its predecessor, the world's number one e-reader holds up to 1,400 books and wows with one month battery life.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0051QVF7A/?tag=googhydr-21&amp;hvadid=9425014145&amp;ref=pd_sl_42h6ncp32r_e">New Kindle Basic</a> - &pound;89</p>
• 1 - Apple iPad 2
  <p> Thinner, lighter and faster than the debut model, the iPad 2 boasts an unparalleled app catalogue, exquisite design and an interface which is a joy to use. The gadget we're dying to discover in our stocking, it rightly deserves its 'king of tablets' moniker.</p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=5908/form_keyword=ipad+2/sortby=priceA">Apple iPad 2</a> - from &pound;397.80</p> <p> Love this? <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_elec.php/st=category">Shop for more gadgets</a></p>

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Craig Revel Horwood admits to 'moob job'

December 17, 2011, 6:13 pm

≫ Next: Will you take a day off to recover from the work Christmas party?

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Filed under: Celebrity

PA

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has revealed that the spent £3,000 on a breast reduction operation last year because he was fed up with his 'man boobs'.

Craig, who is a choreographer, said that he was finding it painful to dance with the extra weight on his chest, and says that the operation effectively took him from a C to an A cup.

He told The Mirror: "I couldn't cha-cha-cha without them jigging in my face.

"I was fed up with having t***s so I had them hoovered away and now I feel fabulous."

Craig, 46, is currently in panto in Dartford, Kent where he is playing the Wicked Queen in Snow White.

This is his second surgical procedure as he's already admitted to having a nose job at the age of 18.

He says: "I could never lie about the nose job anyway because anyone who saw of photo of me as a teenager knows what a beak I had."

Are you surprised that Craig has admitted to having a boob job? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which celebrities have had Botox...

Celebrities who have had Botox

• Kylie Minogue
  <p> While Kylie has admitted to using Botox in the past, she claims to have stopped getting injections and is clearly not a fan of the rumours that she's back on Botox after being snapped with a less-mobile looking forehead in November 2011. 'So, I have been filmed out in public the last three nights &amp; suddenly it is &ldquo;reported&rdquo; I cannot move my face? What a load of rubbish. Annoying,&rsquo; she Tweeted.</p>
• Michelle Heaton
  <p> The former Liberty X singer can't wait to give birth... so she can get right back on the Botox.&nbsp;'I&rsquo;ve been having Botox since I was 28,' she told Closer magazine in November 2011.&nbsp;'If used correctly, it can make a huge difference. I can&rsquo;t wait to have the baby so I can have it again.</p> <div> 'I have a big frown line in the middle of my forehead and I&rsquo;m conscious it&rsquo;s come back. I look angry all the time and it really upsets me!'</div>
• Dannii Minogue
  <p> In 2009, <em>X Factor</em> judge Dannii declared she was going for a more 'natural' look, sans Botox. Of her decision to quit the injectable, she said: 'I see the comments. Plastic. All Botox. I can see what people see but I have to say that, while I have been open about it, I'm not doing it now.'</p> <div> </div>
• Madonna
  <p> While she hasn't openly talked about her Botox use, Madonna's 'pillow face' moniker may have her ditching fillers and Botox. She is reportedly switching to CACI facials because she's worried about looking 'freakish.'</p>
• Demi Moore
  <p> While the 49-year-old beauty has admitted to having work done, 'but not on my face,' plastic surgeons and critics have insisted that she's had Botox for years, among other treatments. In fact, it's even been rumoured that she's spent over $140K on surgical and non-surgical procedures a year. &nbsp;</p>
• Cindy Crawford
  <p> The stunning 45-year-old supermodel admitted to trying Botox, but said it 'scared' her. She also revealed the pressures of being in the spotlight:&nbsp;'Because people have such expectations of what they are going to find when they see me, that brings added pressure to fight the ageing process.' We don't think anyone's been disappointed in the results.</p> <div> <div> </div> </div>
• Courteney Cox
  <p> The 47-year-old admitted she's dabbled in Botox, but she isn't exactly a convert: 'Botox? I think it&rsquo;s fantastic and also horrible. I mean, they&rsquo;ve come up with this stuff that can make you not look angry. But you have to use it sparingly. I went to this doctor once, and he was like, &quot;Oh, let me do it just here and here and here.&quot; And I was miserable. I mean, I&rsquo;m an actor, I&rsquo;ve got to be able to move my face. When people start messing with their foreheads and can&rsquo;t lift their eyebrows, that&rsquo;s weird. It&rsquo;s not that I haven&rsquo;t tried Botox - but I hated it.'</p>
• Jennifer Aniston
  <p> Like her <em>Friend</em>, Courteney Cox, Jen admitted to having Botox - and hating it. 'I mean, I've tried Botox and it's awful!...&nbsp;It's not good when I'm squinting. It's not good if I furrow.'</p> <div> </div>
• Heidi Montag
  <p> The reality star underwent 10 plastic surgery procedures in a day in her quest for perfection, including Botox, a mini brow lift, fat injections, a buttock augmentation and neck liposuction, at the young age of 23.</p>
• Katie Price
  <p> Unsurprisingly, Katie is a fan of Botox. 'I probably don't even need it. I only do it because everyone else has it done. Botox isn't a big deal for me - it's like going shopping,' she's said.</p>
• Nicole Kidman
  <p> Nicole has been criticised for being a victim of 'frozen face,' but insists she isn't a regular Botox user:&nbsp;&lsquo;I even tried Botox but I didn&rsquo;t like how my face looked afterwards. Now I don&rsquo;t use it any more - and I can move my forehead again.&rsquo;</p>
• Simon Cowell
  <p> Cowell has been frank and to-the-point about his Botox use: 'To me, Botox is no more unusual than toothpaste. It works, you do it once a year - who cares?' he famously said.</p>
• Kerry Katona
  <p> Kerry may have panned Dannii Minogue's Botox use, but that didn't stop her from trying it out herself: 'I&rsquo;ve had a bit on my forehead. I was worried sick about having it as I didn&rsquo;t want to look weird,' she told <em>new!</em> magazine.</p> <div> </div>
• Kim Kardashian
  <p> As with everything in her life, Kim's Botox treatment (and the subsequent bruising she experienced), was filmed for television. The then-29-year-old promised her mother Kris she would never do it again - 'well at least until I&rsquo;m 40.'</p>
• Teri Hatcher
  <p> In 2010, the actress went on a <em>Desperate </em>bid to prove she's stopped using Botox, posting wrinkly faced pictures of herself on Twitter:&nbsp;'Did I ever toy with fillers or Botox over the years? Yes. (But) tell me does this look Botoxed to you? Yes I am alone in my bathroom naked in a towel on behalf of women everywhere trying to make a point. Women YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.'</p>
• Amanda Holden
  <p> The <em>Britain's Got Talent</em> judge publically revealed she 'quit' Botox in 2009, but had previously been a fan of the treatment. 'I think it's a great thing if you're going on holiday and you want to stop all your wrinkles around your eyes and nose.&nbsp;I don't know a single actress who hasn't done it - that's a fact. Just get them to frown for you,' she told a magazine.</p>

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Will you take a day off to recover from the work Christmas party?

December 17, 2011, 6:23 pm

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There's only a week until Christmas and we're all looking forward to having some time off.

But it seems that some of us might be getting an extra day off - because we're so hungover from the work Christmas party.

New research from travel company lastminute.com has found that 55 per cent of workers will get drunk at their Christmas party, and more than half will have a hangover the next day.

Although a quarter of those have already planned a day off to recover, an additional 12 per cent will be late or won't make it in to work at all. A fifth of those who do make it in will only manage a four-hour day.

As a result, Christmas party hangovers will cost the economy 242 million pounds in lost productivity.

There can also be long-lasting consequences at work as a quarter of people admit to kissing a colleague and a fifth will sleep with one. Other embarrassing party behaviour includes bad dancing, spreading gossip, confessing feelings for a colleague, arguing or being thrown out of the party.

Eva Bojtos from lastminute.com says: "Everyone loves a work Christmas party but sometimes the outcome can me more than a sore head."

Did you overdo it at your Christmas party? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some party make-up essentials...

Party makeup bag essentials

• A trusted mascara
  <p> A tried-and-trusted mascara should be a makeup bag staple year-round. The special wand shape in&nbsp;Lanc&ocirc;me's&nbsp;Hypn&ocirc;se Drama ensures that even your smallest lashes get the va-va-voom treatment.&nbsp;</p> <p> Lanc&ocirc;me Hypn&ocirc;se Drama Mascara, &pound;20.50, <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/" target="_blank">Debenhams</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A gorgeous red lip hue
  <p> A deep red pout is all the statement makeup you need on a night out. Invest in a creamy, hydrating lipstick, like NARS' Vitamin E-packed Joyous Red hue. Add a smoky eye for a serious statement.</p> <p> Nars Joyous Red Holiday 2011 Lipstick, &pound;17.50, <a href="http://www.asos.com/?hrd=1" target="_blank">Asos</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A light concealer
  <p> </p> <p> Long nights partying mean dark bags the next day, plus you always need to be prepared for the occasional blemish. Stila's concealer helps with both, blends well and comes in cute, makeup bag-friendly packaging.</p> <p> Stila Brighten and Correct Concealer, &pound;18, <a href="http://www.asos.com/Stila/Stila-Brighten-Correct-Concealer/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1820223" target="_blank">Asos</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A glittery eyeliner
  <p> </p> <p> Nothing says you're party-ready like a slick of sparkly liner across your lid. The silver, gold and black in this set are rock chick but still classic - just keep the rest of your makeup super simple to avoid a glitter-overdose.</p> <p> Ruby Hammer Recommends set of three glitter eyeliners, &pound;4, <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/" target="_blank">Debenhams</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A purse-sized scent
  <p> Even if you're only heading out with a tiny clutch bag, remember to pack a beautifully bottled scent for a quick spritz before you hit the town. Bvlgari's Jewel Charms look gorgeous and smell divine, and Jasmin Noir is appropriately alluring for a night out.</p> <p> Bvlgari Jasmin Noir Jewel Charm, &pound;36, <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Home-Show" target="_blank">House of Fraser</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• An all-over highlighter
  <p> Party skin (and winter skin, even more desperately), needs a little boost to get that enviable, dewy look the celebs have on the red carpet. Get the glow with Benefit's High Beam, which can be used in certain spots - under the brown bone or to highlight cheek bones, for example - or can be blended all over your face.</p> <p> High Beam luminescent complexion enhancer, &pound;18.50, <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/gp/product/B000JJJAGW/sr=1-2/qid=1323440882/ref=sr_1_2/275-1953480-5237927?ie=UTF8&amp;bcBrand=core" target="_blank">Benefit</a></p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A high-octane pair of false lashes
  <p> </p> <p> Beautifully fluttery, these are for a serious night out. Wear them on New Year's Eve and ensure all eyes are on you.&nbsp;</p> <p> Illamasqua Opulence false eyelashes, &pound;25, <a href="http://www.asos.com/?hrd=1" target="_blank">Asos</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A festive nail hue
  <p> Too much glitter on your face and you can end up looking like a tinsel-overloaded Christmas tree. Sparkletastic nails, however, are always welcome.&nbsp;</p> <p> O.P.I. Christmas Glitter Collection nail varnish, &pound;10.50, <a href="http://www.asos.com/?hrd=1" target="_blank">Asos</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A lip/cheek tint and gloss
  <p> This three-in-one product gives you a rosy tint from one end - which works to give cheeks a flush or add some colour to your mouth - and a sheer, glossy pout from the other.</p> <p> JK Jemma Kidd Red Carpet Lip/Cheek Tint &amp; Gloss, &pound;12, <a href="http://www.asos.com/Jemma-Kidd/JK-Jemma-Kidd-Red-Carpet-Lip/Cheek-Tint-Gloss/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1885508&amp;SearchQuery=jemma%20kidd%20gloss&amp;sh=0&amp;pge=0&amp;pgesize=20&amp;sort=-1&amp;clr=02dressup" target="_blank">Asos</a></p> <p> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/home_catpage.php/catzero=158" target="_blank">- Shop makeup&nbsp;</a></p>
• A sparkly neutral shadow
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Why your festive meal could contain over twice your RDA of salt

December 18, 2011, 8:58 pm

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When you sit down to have your festive meal on Sunday, spare a thought for how much salt you could be eating at one sitting.

The health charity Consensus Action of Salt and Health (CASH) has warned that many of us will consume more than double the recommended daily amount (RDA) of salt in one meal.

Eating a turkey meal, with a starter, dessert and some snacks, could rack up 15.7g of salt - over twice the 6g RDA for adults.

The consumption of high amounts of salt is connected with high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

The charity said the biggest danger came from pre-prepared foods, which often had high amounts of salt added to improve their taste.

Starters such as smoked salmon were found to contain 3.38g of salt, while Christmas pudding followed by cheese and crackers had 1.62g of salt.

CASH added that it was possible to prepare a Christmas meal at home which had just 2.24g of salt.

CASH nutritionist, Kay Dilley, said: "Everyone likes to be indulgent at Christmas time, and it's not just on the day but for the whole of the festive season that we might be treating ourselves to salty food, so our salt intake can really add up."

"But by cooking at home from scratch, your Christmas food will be even more delicious as well as lower in salt."

Do you think about salt in your festive meal or are you too busy enjoying yourself to worry? Let us know below...

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Vomiting virus fears close dozens of hospital wards

December 18, 2011, 9:32 pm

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PA

Hospital wards across the country have been closed due to a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus.

The virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, spreads quickly and can be dangerous to people with lowered immunity, young children and old people.

It has been estimated that around a million people every year catch the bug and while most suffer mild symptoms, it can be fatal in some cases.

Cases of the bug have been logged at over a dozen hospitals over the course of the last week. Hospital wards in Winchester, Bedford, Warwick, Doncaster, Redditch, Newport and London have been closed.

Eiri Jones, director of nursing and patient services at Bedford hospital, said visitors should not sit down on hospital beds and should not visit patients if they had been ill during the previous 72 hours.

Mr Jones told the Daily Telegraph: "I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Norovirus is extremely contagious and is easily passed through person-to-person contact, unwashed hands, touching surfaces and through virus particles carried in the air."

A statement from the Health Protection Agency said: "Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects."

"The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes."

"Anyone who thinks they may have norovirus should not to go to their doctor's surgery or A&E as this could spread the illness to vulnerable people and health care workers."

Should hospitals be doing more to contain the spread of the bug? Let us know below...

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Can sunlight stop chickenpox spreading?

December 18, 2011, 10:12 pm

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Researchers may have discovered a way of preventing the spread of the chickenpox virus.

A team from the University of London, as reported in the Virology journal, said exposure to sunlight appeared to stop the virus spreading.

The research showed chickenpox cases were less prevalent in areas which had high levels of UV light.

Dr Phil Rice, who led the research, said sunlight could be the key to why chickenpox spreads much more slowly and less efficiently in hot countries.

He looked at data from 25 previous studies on the chickenpox virus and then used climate data to plot the spread of the virus.

He found a clear connection between UV levels and the spread of the virus.

He said: "No-one had considered UV as a factor before, but when I looked at the epidemiological studies they showed a good correlation between global latitude and the presence of the virus."

Professor Judy Breuer from University College London said other factors could play a role in stopping the spread of the disease.

She said: "Lots of things aside from UV could affect it - heat, humidity and social factors such as overcrowding."

"It's quite possible that UV is having an effect, but we don't have any firm evidence showing the extent this is happening."

Is it better to get chickenpox once or avoid falling ill with it in the first place? Let us know below...

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One-Pot Winter Warmers: Beef and ale stew with horseradish dumplings

December 18, 2011, 11:00 pm

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Helen Graves

This beef and ale stew is a perfect winter-warming recipe for any cold and blustery evening but I think it's also a lovely dish to serve around Christmas time - Christmas Eve, perhaps - it's a real rib-sticking classic for everyone to tuck into. This is British comfort food at its finest.

A traditional beef stew is one of the easiest one-pot recipes to make and yet I rarely find myself doing so. This is a shame because a bowl of this, replete with the ultimate in rib-sticking comfort food - dumplings - is the perfect antidote to winter's chill.

I've long been of the opinion that the best cut of beef to use in a stew is shin. It may look unappealing but all those marbled bits will melt away into the sauce, leaving it thick and unctuous. It takes a little longer to cook than regular 'stewing steak' but the results are definitely worth it and really, what's an extra half an hour?

There's plenty of room for substitution here, too; pretty much any root veg can be used - potatoes or even Jerusalem artichokes would be quite at home. Mushrooms also work. The same goes for the dumplings; I've given mine a lift by adding a dollop of prepared horseradish and some chives, but you could use any fresh herbs you like really - thyme or parsley would be the most obvious choices.

To finish the stew, I make a garnish of finely chopped rosemary and lemon zest; important, I think, for bringing freshness to a very rich dish.

I beg you to forget any memories of dodgy school dinners and leaden dumplings and give this recipe a try; it's a true British classic.

Beef and Ale Stew with Horseradish Dumplings (serves 4)

1kg beef shin, well trimmed of any sinew around the outside and cut into bite-sized chunks

1 large regular onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and cut into large-ish chunks

2 parsnips, peeled and cut into large-ish chunks

500ml dark ale

200ml good quality beef stock (ideally home-made but the best quality you can get your hands on if not)

A sprig of thyme

1 tablespoon plain flour

For the dumplings

100g self-raising flour

50g beef suet

Water

1 generous tablespoon prepared horseradish (from a jar)

A few chives, finely chopped

For the garnish

Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon

Rosemary leaves - about a tablespoon or so, finely chopped

Once you have trimmed your meat and diced it, put it into a bowl, sprinkle over the flour, then toss it well so all the pieces are well coated. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (or other oil for frying, i.e. not olive oil), then add 4 or 5 pieces of meat at a time, browning them well on all sides. Remove each batch and set aside before adding the next. It is important to do this in batches because if you crowd the pan, the meat will stew in its own juices and won't colour properly.

Once all the meat is browned and set aside, add the onions. Fry them until they are starting to colour, scraping up the brown meaty bits from the bottom of the pan as you do so. Once they're starting to colour, add the ale and stock. Season the stew, add back the browned meat and bring it up to a simmer. Put a lid on, turn the heat right down and cook for 1.5 hours, checking on it now and then to make sure it's still simmering gently.

After this time, add the carrots, parsnips and thyme. Cover again and cook for a further hour.

To make the dumplings, mix the suet and flour together, then add the horseradish and chives. Make a well in the centre of the mix and add water, a little bit at a time until the dough comes together. It mustn't be too wet or the dumplings will fall apart in the stew. It should come cleanly from the sides of the bowl. Form into golf-ball sized dumplings (they will swell as they cook) and drop them into the stew, carefully. Cook for a further 30 minutes, turning the dumplings halfway through.

To make the garnish, finely chop or grate the lemon zest and mix it with the rosemary. Serve the stew and dumplings with the garnish sprinkled on top.

 

Last-minute gifts under £20

December 19, 2011, 12:00 am

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Amazon/M&S

Still got pressies to get but dreading that eleventh hour traipse down the high street? Cold weather, crowds and shopping don't make for the best combo, so melt away seasonal stress by grabbing those last-minute gifts online.

To save you the hassle of looking, we've rounded up a selection of wallet-friendly treats boasting late last order dates, from toiletries to a clever bonsai tree kit.

Amazon

Lasso wine bottle holder
Last orders - 2pm on Friday 23rd for Express delivery

Guaranteed to put a smile of any vino lover's face, this novelty holder creates a very clever optical illusion - any bottle it supports will look like it's floating, suspended on nothing but thin air.

Snap up the Lasso right now for just £17.40 from Amazon

Shop for more bottle holders

Boots

Soap & Glory Yum at Heart gift set
Last orders - 2.30pm on Thursday 22nd

Pamper pressies always go down well, so spoil that special someone with this delectable gift set by Soap & Glory - a collectable cookie containing a body scrub, nourishing hand cream and a cute apron.

Buy the Soap & Glory Yum at Heart gift set right now for only £16 from Boots

Shop for more beauty gift sets

M&S

Collezione cashmere socks
Last orders - 7pm on Thursday 22nd for Nominated Day delivery

Yes, not the most inspired of pressie picks. But these super-luxe soft cashmere and fine silk socks are that bit extra-special and possibly the most comfy money can buy.

Snap up these Collezione cashmere and silk socks for £18.50 from M&S

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Amazon

Silver Love Heart
Last orders - 2pm on Friday 23rd for Express delivery

Fancy surprising the love of your life with a thoughtful token of affection? Make it look as if you've spent ages thinking up the perfect romantic stocking filler and bag this adorable little Love Heart in sterling silver.

Buy the silver Love Heart right now for just £13.38 from Amazon

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Viking

Digital luggage scales
Last orders - 6pm on Thursday 22nd

If you're buying for a frequent flyer or roving backpacker, you really can't go wrong with these handy digital luggage scales. Far more accurate than the manual scales they may already have, this compact gadget boasts an impressive 50kg weighing capacity, and it's tiny enough to slip into hand luggage.

Snap up the scales right now for just £11.99 from Viking

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Amazon

Bonsai tree kit
Last orders - 2pm on Friday 23rd for Express delivery

Not sure what to get the keen gardener in your life? Put their green fingers to good use and introduce them to the art of bonsai. This kit has everything they need to grow a stunning decorative miniature tree.

Grab this Grow it: Grow Your Own Bonsai kit now for only £12 from Amazon

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Amazon

Solar gadget charger
Last orders - 2pm on Friday 23rd for Express delivery

A great gift for just about anybody with a battery-guzzling smartphone, MP3 or portable DVD player, they'll never again run out of juice with this solar charger.

Buy this Pama solar charger today for only £12.19 from Amazon

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M&S

The Best of Mrs Beeton's Cakes & Baking book
Last orders - 7pm on Thursday 22rd for Nominated Day delivery

With baking all the rage, it's no wonder this classic compendium by the Victorian Delia Smith is flying off the shells. Bursting with good old fashioned treats, it's the ideal pressie for the foodie in your life.

Get The Best of Mrs Beeton's Cakes & Baking book right now for just £9.50 from M&S

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Festive chill-out treats

December 19, 2011, 12:00 am

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John Lewis/M&Co

The Christmas break is all about eating, drinking and lazing around. So why not spoil yourself with something super-cosy and comfy to do as little as possible in?

To help you choose, we put together our ultimate wish-list of luxe loungewear, from indulgent cashmere blend joggers to snuggly slipper socks - vegging out on the sofa has never been so stylish.

John Lewis

Fluffy and fabulous, these super-cool slippers by cult brand Bedroom Athletics are fast becoming a modern style classic. We love the hip branding and fleecy winter white faux fur.

Bag the Bedroom Athletics Marilyn faux fur slippers today for £20 from John Lewis

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John Lewis

Craving a little luxury this Christmas? These cashmere blend joggers are the ultimate in posh loungewear. Simple and effortless, they're exactly the sort of thing a serious fashionista should be relaxing in over the Christmas holiday.

Invest in these Fenn Wright Mason cashmere blend joggers today, on sale for £44.50 at John Lewis

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Amazon

Fusing the slouchy-chic aesthetic of Stella McCartney with the sporty Adidas vibe, this plush velvet towelling robe in pure cotton is the perfect something to slip into post-bath or shower and pre-NYE party.

Buy this Adidas Stella McCartney velvet towelling robe now for £39.99 at Amazon

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M&Co

Nothing says laid-back loungewear more than a comfy camisole, you really can't have too many. This pastel pink version is finished with a fancy organza trim for an added touch of subtle chic.

Snap up this organza trim cami today for £7 from M&Co

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Amazon

The Snug Rug Lite is an oversized blanket with sleeves made from comforting polar fleece - just what you need to be wrapped in when you're chilling on the couch. It also features a handy pouch pocket for your TV remote control, glasses or mobile phone.

Buy the Snug Rug Lite right now for just £14.99 from Amazon

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John Lewis

Keep those tootsies toasty with this adorable pair of slipper socks. The Fair Isle print is bang on trend, and we're smitten with the cute pom pom detailing and soft pink and grey colourway.

Snap up these slipper socks right now for £16 from John Lewis

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Republic

These jammies were made for those days when you really can't be asked to get dressed. Made from pure cotton, the bold checked bottoms feature a ribbon drawstring waistband. Choose from either pink or blue.

Get your pair of Soul Cal Checkeded Lounge pyjamas right now for £24.99 from Republic

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Republic

This classic grey marl hoodie rocks a simple design and a cotton mix fabric. An ultra-versatile staple, it's great for the gym, as well as for mooching around the house in.

Buy this White label hoodie today for £18.95 from Republic

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Jennifer Hudson looks super slim in mini and thigh boots

December 19, 2011, 12:15 am

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All eyes were on Jennifer Hudson's tiny frame at the VH1 Divas Celebrate Soul at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City last night.

The 30-year-old actress, who lost more than five stone on the Weight Watchers diet, looked like she'd lost even more weight.

Posing for photographers in a pale pink mini dress and strappy, diamanté-embellished thigh boots, Jennifer showcased her tiny waist and slim thighs on the red carpet.

Getty

The Dreamgirls star recently hit back at the claims of The View host Joy Behar, who said she had claimed to be a size zero.

Jennifer told Ebony magazine: "I'm going to finally address that size zero thing that Joy said on The View. Hell, I wasn't even on the show. I never said I was a size zero."

"I got crucified by I don't know how many people who cussed me out because they said I'm putting out the wrong message and telling people to be a size zero."

"I got called every name under the sun and was told, 'You should be ashamed of yourself for talking about being that size.' Well, honey, when I do say I'm that size, then give me that speech. I never said that."

Should Jennifer stop losing weight or does she look great? Let us know below...

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Woman races to lose four stone so she can have baby with dying husband

December 19, 2011, 2:24 am

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SWNS

A Shrewsbury woman is desperately trying to lose weight so she can become pregnant with her partner's baby before he dies.

Ayla Hughes, who is 24, wants to have a baby with her husband Ben, 28, but he has been given only five months to live. Ben, who used to work in a shop, has chronic organ failure.

Ayla has been told she needs to lose four stone in order to have a better chance of conceiving through IVF.

She suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome and Ben has a low sperm count due to medication and operations, meaning they have only a million-to-one chance of having a baby naturally.

SWNS

Ayla has already lost 21 pounds through a combination of diet and exercise, as at her original weight of nineteen-and-a-half stone she was told she was too overweight to have IVF.

She explained: "The news was devastating, but we're concentrating on fulfilling the dreams we have together."

"I've already lost more than a stone through Slimming World, but I still have three and a half stone to go."

"I want to get the weight lost by March next year, which will hopefully give Ben time to realise that the procedures have worked and he's on his way to becoming a dad."

SWNS

Ben, who married Ayla four years ago, suffers from Aortic Stenosis, which means his heart cannot pump blood efficiently.

He had a heart and lung transplant in March 2007, a month after the wedding. However his body has rejected the transplanted organs and doctors have given him just five months to live.

He said: "We have been thinking about having a baby for around three years, but with everything else going on, we just haven't been able to concentrate on it properly.

"Now there is more need to get the IVF underway as soon as possible. Although I may not be around to hold my child, as long as I know the IVF has started and Ayla is alright, it will mean the world to me."

"These past five years have been the best. Ben is the most wonderful person I have ever met and he's changed my life," Ayla said.

"If it wasn't for the transplant, we would not have had this time together. Now I have the most powerful incentive imaginable to lose weight."

The couple hope their story will encourage people to sign up to the organ donor register

What do you think about the couple's story? Let us know below...

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Why eating less could improve your memory

December 19, 2011, 8:51 pm

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PA

Want to boost your brain? You could try refusing pudding or choosing soup over a big meal, based on the results of a new study.

A study by Italian researchers at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome found that reducing the number of calories mice were given improved their learning skills.

Researcher Dr Giovambattista Pani looked at a protein known as CREB1 which is connected with memory and learning skills.

In experiments on mice, those given fewer calories had higher amounts of the protein produced by their brains and showed improved learning capacity.

Dr Pani, whose research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, only reduced the mice's calories by around a quarter - the human equivalent of around 600 calories a day.

He said the research had "important implications to develop future therapies."

"It is just 25 to 30 per cent fewer calories. It is like not eating a cake at the end of the meal. This gives us a tool to better investigate this brain circuitry and try to figure out more drugs that do the same."

"We are trying a couple of compounds right now on animals but it is at a very preliminary stage."

Could eating less really be a brain booster or just make you hungry and unhappy? Let us know below...

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Former Miss Venezuela dies from breast cancer aged only 28

December 19, 2011, 9:41 pm

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Eva Ekvall, who was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2000, has died at the age of 28.

The mother-of-one was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and died in a Houston hospital on Saturday December 17.

After winning Miss Venezuela at the age of 17, Eva went on to become an author, charity worker and news anchor.

She told the Guardian earlier this year that she had been working as a shop assistant when she was spotted by a scout.

"To me that was ridiculous. I thought I was overweight. I just couldn't be a model." "But one day I got fired so I took a cab and went to the modelling agency. Once they saw me ... they said they had the next Miss Venezuela right there."

PA

Eva was third runner-up in the Miss Universe competition in the year after she won Miss Venezuela.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and documented her struggle against the disease in the book 'Fuera de Foco' ('Out of Focus').

She explained that she had originally put a lump she found in her breast down to pregnancy: "I was very angry because I should have known. My aunt had breast cancer twice and my grandmother died from breast cancer. And I just let time go."

She said of the book: "The pictures were very shocking because nobody had ever seen me that way. Nobody had seen me bald, without make-up."

"In the beginning I wasn't sure if I looked good or not. Then I realised that wasn't the point. I wasn't supposed to look good, I had cancer."

Eva told newspaper El Nacional that she "needed to send the message of the need for cancer prevention" and became a spokesperson for the cancer company SenosAyuda.

An increase in the number of women in the country visiting their doctors for breast examinations was attributed to her campaigns.

SenosAyuda said on its website: "Thank you for so much in so little time," while writer Leonardo Padron said she had shown "extraordinary calm and courage in her fight against cancer."

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