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Eating from a red plate could help you to lose weight

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Eating from a red plate could help you to lose weightGetty


It might be a good idea to swap your boring white plates for some bright red ones - because experts reckon that you're likely to eat less as a result.

German and Swiss academics claim that eating from red plates or drinking from red cups cuts consumption by around 40 per cent because the colour is associated with the idea of danger and is commonly used to tell people to 'stop'.

In the study, which was published in the journal Appetite, 41 male students were asked to drink tea from cups marked with red or blue labels. They drank 44 per cent less from those with red labels.

In a second test, 109 people were given ten pretzels each on either a red, white or blue plate. Those with the red plate ate fewer pretzels.

Ursula Arens, from the British Dietetic Association, told the Mail on Sunday: "Red may be associated with alarm or something primeval."

What colour are your plates and cups? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some stylish kitchen ideas...



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Frizz-taming tips

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Frizz-taming tipsJupiter Images

Those of us with unruly, frizzy locks find the winter months harder than most - between hat-hair and trying to avoid too much heat styling, our hair never seems to look as shiny, glossy or healthy as we'd like.

Click through our gallery below for some tips on how to control frizzy hair without being forced to use those moisture-sapping straighteners every day. And be sure to check out our gallery of top winter hair-saving products.


 

Why are Britons still not eating enough fruit and veg?

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Why are Britons still not eating enough fruit and veg?Getty

People in the UK are failing to eat fruit and vegetables, and are lagging behind their European counterparts when it comes to healthy eating.

A review of EU eating habits found the UK came 14th out of 19 countries for fruit and vegetable consumption.

The report, by the European Food Information Council (EFIC), showed that people in Britain consumed an average of 258g of fruit and vegetables every day, in comparison to a European average of 386g.

This means Britons are failing to meet the minimum recommended daily amount of fruit and veg as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Four countries in the EU managed to meet the minimum target, with Poland coming first (577g), Italy in second place (452g), followed by Germany (442g) and Austria (413g).

The EFIC report said: "A majority of Europeans do not reach WHO recommendations on vegetables and fruit consumption."

"Consumption varies, with higher intakes in southern compared to the northern regions."

How can Brits be persuaded to eat more fruit and veg or is it not that important? Let us know below...

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Could the London Olympics cause a deadly epidemic?

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Could the London Olympics cause a deadly epidemic?Getty

Health experts have said the forthcoming Olympics Games in London could increase the risk of diseases spreading.

Viruses such as swine flu can be spread through close contact with other people and mass events provide the perfect breeding ground for diseases.

Reports published in the Lancet Infectious Disease Journal showed that scientists believe crowds increase the danger of an epidemic.

Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, who works at the University of East Anglia, said music and religious festivals can lead to the spread of diseases from other countries and escalate the course of diseases that already exist in England.

He also referred to a flu outbreak which occurred in Australia on World Youth Day four years ago.

Another report published in the Lancet said air transport could have "potentially serious implications to health, security, and economic activity worldwide."

However Professor Brian McCloskey, who is responsible for the Health Protection Agency's preparations for London 2012, told the BBC that people should not be too concerned.

He explained: "The history of the Olympic Games suggests infection doesn't happen often.The issue for us is to make sure the right system is in place to respond."

Should we be worried about diseases spreading during the Olympics or not? Let us know below...

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One-Pot Winter Warmers: Curry laksa

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One-Pot Winter Warmers: Curry laksaHelen Graves

I feel like you all need a very thorough warming in this week's one-pot dish and so I've come up with a spicy noodle soup recipe which will blast away the most stubborn lingering sniffle - a spicy curry laksa with prawns.

There are many variations on the South East Asian noodle soup laksa, but two main types. The first is asam laksa, which is a fish-based soup soured with tamarind. This week's recipe however, a curry laksa, is a fragrant coconut-based soup containing prawns and often tofu and cockles.

I've simplified my version somewhat and just included prawns and puffed tofu, which is available from Asian food shops. If you don't live anywhere near one however, just leave them out, as the prawns will be delicious on their own. Other seafood would also work well if you feel like experimenting; a few mussels or clams in amongst the prawns, for example.

Slurping a bowl of this fragrant broth feels rather cleansing, although in truth the coconut milk is quite decadent; use the half-fat version if you're worried but do bear in mind it won't taste the same. To finish, a squeeze of lime juice, fresh coriander and a dollop of chilli paste or hot sauce if you have it.

This quantity will serve four generously, because I'm totally against the notion of depriving oneself too much during the long dark slog of January.


Curry Laksa (serves 4, generously)

20 raw prawns
100g rice vermicelli or other, thicker rice noodles (this is personal preference really; I prefer a thicker noodle myself)
1 x 400ml tin coconut milk
800ml fish or chicken stock
50g green beans, cut into short lengths
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
100g tofu puffs (optional)
1 lime
Coriander

For the spice paste
6 shallots, chopped
2 cloves garlic
3 cm piece ginger or galangal, peeled and quite finely chopped
2 red chillies
2 teaspoons shrimp paste
2 lemongrass, outer layers removed and core chopped
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon oil

Put all the ingredients for the spice paste in a small blender and blend to a paste, adding a little more oil if necessary until you have a good paste consistency. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok and add the paste. Cook over a fairly low heat for a few minutes, until the paste starts to smell fragrant.

Add the coconut milk, stock, sugar and salt and bring to the boil, stirring all the time. Add the green beans, prawns and tofu puffs (if using) and simmer until cooked (about 5 minutes, depending on the size of your prawns).

Soak the noodles in boiling water according to packet instructions, then drain.

Ladle the broth into bowls, dividing the prawns and tofu equally, then add some noodles to each bowl. Garnish with a squeeze of lime juice, chopped coriander and chilli paste or hot sauce if you have it.

 

Yves St Laurent face cream sparks rush of orders with "holy grail" claims

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Yves St Laurent face cream sparks rush of orders with 'holy grail' claimsCorbis

If you're on the lookout for that elusive face cream which promises to make you look younger, consider the claims of the latest product to generate a huge amount of hype in the beauty market.

The Forever Youth Liberator - which sounds like something Snow White's stepmother might covet - has been pre-ordered by over 5,000 people.

The face cream, which is made by Yves St Laurent, has been in development for more than 20 years and has been created with the help of the Max Planck Institute in Germany.

It contains synthetic sugars which prompt the body to produce new skin cells and which decrease with age.

Amandine Ohayon, general manager of Yves Saint Laurent, said: "This is one of the most amazing scientific breakthroughs we have discovered in relation to anti-aging. The products are set to be the holy grail of anti-ageing for many women given their proven efficacy."

"Glycobiology is opening up a whole new area of possibilities when it comes to skincare.
We're just at the very start of it and are already excited."

Professor Peter Seeberger, of the Max Planck Institute, said the synthetic sugars in the product had been observed to cause "clear beneficial biochemical changes" on the skin.

The cream goes on sale this week and costs £50 for a 30g pot.

Can a skin cream ever make you look younger or is it just wishful thinking? Let us know below...

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Bedtime treats

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Bedtime treatsAmazon/Tesco Direct/Amazon

In the mood for hibernating? It's the time of year for early nights and long lie-ins. So to help you get all snug and cosy, we've come up with the ultimate wish-list of slumber-friendly goodies. From wrinkle-fighting pillows to super-cute jammies, transport yourself to the land of dreams with these indulgent bedtime treats.

Bedtime treatsJohn Lewis

If you haven't got one already, think about investing in a delicate silk pillow. Not only does it feel fabulous against the skin, silk also prevents bed-head frizz and helps fight the signs of ageing by boosting moisture retention.

Snap up a Silk pillowcase now for £30 from John Lewis

Shop for more silk pillowcases

Bedtime treatsAmazon

Infused with 'oil of tranquillity' vetivert and calming lavender, This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is a subtle natural sleep aid. Simply spritz a little on your pillowcase before bedtime to help you conk out.

Spoil yourself with This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray for £17.50 from Amazon

Shop for more aromatherapy sprays

Bedtime treatsTesco Direct

Your choice of duvet can make or break a good night's sleep. Cue this luxury duvet by Fogarty. Designed for ultimate comfort, it's made from body temperature-regulating wool. Super long-lasting, it makes for a great investment.

Put your smart money on a Fogarty Best Night's Sleep Wool Double Duvet for £70 from Tesco Direct

Shop for more duvets

Bedtime treatsAmazon

The ideal furry something to cuddle up to after dark, banish the late night chill with this microwavable hot water bottle in glam leopard. Simply pop it in the microwave for a few minutes for long-lasting, comforting heat.

Bag your Leopard print Hottie now for £10.99 from Amazon

Shop for more hot water bottles

Bedtime treatsNew Look

Pretty and easy to wear, refresh your nightwear drawer with this floral pyjama set in plush flannel. We love the soft pastel colourway and cute shorts, which are elasticated for comfort.

Get your Floral Short Pyjama Set now for just £14.99 from New Look

Shop for more pyjamas

Bedtime treatsJohn Lewis

If the jammies aren't your cup of tea, get your spring pastels fix with this chic Calvin Klein chemise. It features a stylish ruffled tie neckline and best of all, it's reduced by 50%.

Order your Calvin Klein Floral Chemise now for £30.10 from John Lewis

Shop for more chemises

Bedtime treatsJohn Lewis

Keep those tootsies toasty all night long in a pair of Avoca Hibernate Bed Socks. Super soft and warming, they're made from a breathable cotton mix fabric and are generously oversized for extra snugness.

Grab your pair of Avoca Hibernate Bed Socks for £15 from John Lewis

Shop for more bed socks

Bedtime treatsAmazon

Tend to have trouble falling asleep? Block out background noise with the soothing natural sounds of HoMedics' insomnia-busting Sound Spa Relaxation Sound Machine. Choose from six blissful settings, from ocean waves to summer rain.

Buy the HoMedics Sound Spa Relaxation Sound Machine today for £12.93 from Amazon

Shop for more nature sounds gadgets


Bedtime treatsAmazon

If the merest sliver of light under the bedroom door or from an outside lamp is enough to stop you getting some shut-eye, you'll love this sumptuous silk sleep mask, filled with lavender seeds to promote relaxation.

Spoil yourself with the Aroma Home Lavender Silk Sleep Mask, just £8.66 from Amazon

Shop for more sleep masks


Bedtime treatsBoots

When it's time to rouse from your slumber, the last thing you need is an offensively loud alarm screeching in your ear. Banish rude awakenings with the Philips Wake-Up Light and rise to a simulated sunrise and calming sounds instead.

Invest in a Philips HF3490 Wake Up-Light today for £159.99 from Boots

Shop for more dawn simulators

 

Hot trend: Après-ski chic

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Hot trend: Après-ski chicTed Baker/Outdoor Kit/John Lewis

This season's catwalks were awash with luxe Alpine-inspired creations, from high-end ski pants at Jil Sander to pretty polar bear motifs and snowflake knits at Stella McCartney. Whether you're off for a week on the slopes or simply seeking some snug cold weather threads, get the look for less with our pick of high street post-piste fashion.

Hot trend: Après-ski chicNew Look

Avoid the Michelin Man puffer jacket look and opt for this sleek quilted jacket by Le Breve in chic winter white, now half price.

Bag this Le Breve Gossip Quilted Jacket for only £36.99 from New Look

Shop for more quilted jackets

Hot trend: Après-ski chicTed Baker

The perfect cosy something to wear under your jacket, work the Fair Isle trend in this chunky pastel-hued knit, reduced by over 50%.

Get the Fair Isle Zip Knit before it sells out for just £60 from Ted Baker

Shop for more Fair Isle knits

Hot trend: Après-ski chicNew Look

Brave the cold in this glossy down jacket in striking jet black. A super-flattering pick, the subtle padding won't swamp your frame and the belt will nicely cinch in your waist.

Buy the Faux Fur Trim Puffer Jacket today for £39.99 at New Look

Shop for more down jackets

Hot trend: Après-ski chicRepublic

Bold and breezy, this season's cheery Native American-inspired knits are perfect post-piste garb. We love this Navajo version by Soul Cal Deluxe.

Buy the Soul Cal Deluxe Navajo Cardigan now for £38.94 from Republic

Shop for more Navajo-style knits

Hot trend: Après-ski chicAmazon

Tap into this season's Nordic print trend and Keep your pins nice and warm in these fabulous knit leggings by EyeCatchingClothing.

Grab a pair of EyeCatchingClothing Nordic Leggins today for just £13.86 from Amazon

Shop for more knit leggings

Hot trend: Après-ski chicOutdoor Kit

Legendary wellies brand Hunter has taken the classic snow boot and updated it for the 21st century. The boot to be seen in on and off-piste, it boasts super-insulating padding and an eye-catching glossy trim.

Get your pair of Hunter Chatel Snow Boots for £59.99 from Outdoor Kit

Shop for more snow boots

Hot trend: Après-ski chicAmazon

If you've got more cash to splash, consider this pair of yeti boots by Love From Australia, made from plush sheepskin and quality faux fur.

Invest in a pair of Yeti Boots by Love From Australia for £151.94 from Amazon

Shop for more faux fur boots

Hot trend: Après-ski chicJohn Lewis

Protect your crowing glory from the winter chill and be the ultimate ski bunny in this faux rabbit fur bomber hat.

Buy Barts Fur Bomber Hat now for £36.99 from John Lewis

Shop for more winter hats

Hot trend: Après-ski chicTed Baker

Keep your neck nice and toasty with this cosy cable knit snood. With cashmere and angora for a super-soft feel.

Get your Simper Cable Knit Snood today for £29.50 from Ted Baker

Shop for more snoods

Hot trend: Après-ski chicJohn Lewis

After a subtle way to work winter's colour block trend? Try these understated long gloves by Clements Ribeiro for John Lewis, reduced from £25 to £10!

Buy the Clements Ribeiro Colour Block Long Gloves for just £10 from John Lewis

Shop for more gloves

 


Penny Lancaster says green tea is secret of regaining her beach body

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Penny Lancaster says green tea is secret of regaining her beach bodyPA

Penny Lancaster may have given birth to her second child only seven months ago but she's clearly back on fighting form.

The 41-year-old said she was not happy with her weight after the birth, when she was 12 stone 7lbs, but has credited green tea for helping her to lose weight.

Penny told the Sunday Mirror that she's dropped almost all her baby weight and thinks she's "not bad for a mum of two".

She added: "My goal is to have lost 20lbs by the time Aiden is one in the middle of next month."

"I was way too skinny for my height and build before I got pregnant. I was 140lbs, exactly 10 stone, before I fell pregnant with Alastair."

"And I looked really gangly. At 160lbs, which is about 11 and a half stone, I was much better proportioned. As you get older it can be ageing if you're too skinny."

The model revealed she's recently hit the gym with her personal trainer and is drinking a type of green tea known as Cho Yung to help her with cravings.

She told the paper she'd managed to lose nearly three inches from her waist and had toned her figure into beach body shape.

She added: "There's that myth that when you get to a certain age, the hemline should be lowered. But I've always believed it's all to do with the figure that carries off the outfit, not the age of the person wearing it."

What do you think of Penny's thoughts on age and dieting? Let us know below...

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Researchers say fat is the sixth human taste

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Researchers say fat is the sixth human tasteGetty

The tongue can detect sour, salty, sweet and bitter tastes - so far, so familiar.

Another type of taste, savoury or 'umami', was recently identified. However yet another taste has been found by scientists.

Researchers from Washington University in St Louis said that fat is another basic taste sensation identifiable by the human tongue.

The team found that people who had higher amounts of a chemical receptor called CD36 could identify the presence of fat more easily in food.

The researchers said people with 50% lower levels of the chemical receptor were eight times less sensitive to the taste of fatty foods.

Professor Nada Abumrad, who headed the team, said: "The ultimate goal is to understand how our perception of fat in food might influence what foods we eat and the qualities of fat that we consume."

"We've found one potential reason for individual variability in how people sense fat. What we will need to determine in the future is whether our ability to detect fat in foods influences our fat intake, which clearly would have an impact on obesity."

Do you think fat is really a taste or not? Let us know below...

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Mother teaches 16-year-old daughter how to be a glamour model

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Mother teaches 16-year-old daughter how to be a glamour modelClaire Stephens Ltd/Closer

It's not every mum who tells their daughter how to walk in heels, strip off and pout for the camera.

But Annette Edwards, a former Playboy model, is delighted about her 16-year-old daughter's wish to be a topless model.

The 60-year-old has revealed to Closer magazine that she first accompanied her daughter Paige to a "scantily clad photo shoot" when she was 14 and now gives her tips on how to pose topless.

Annette, who has 10 children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, shells out £100 a week to pay for Paige's makeup, fake tan and lingerie.

She said: "I'm really proud when I see Paige modelling - she looks beautiful. She's not too young or vulnerable as long as I'm with her. Girls in clubs wearing next to nothing are in more danger."

"There's nothing wrong with glamour modelling, as long as it's tasteful, like Page Three and Playboy. It makes you feel sexy and powerful - and Paige is a natural. I've modelled lingerie with her and we plan to pose topless together when she's old enough, too."

Her daughter explained: "Mum's an inspiration - I've always wanted to be a glamour model. I enjoy the compliments and being in front of the camera. When I'm 18, I'll go topless - the money's good."

She added: "I'm not sure I'll go topless with Mum, it might be embarrassing."

Annette told the magazine that she's spent £18,000 on plastic surgery - including a face lift and breast implants to take her from a 36D to a 36DD.

She explained that she would be supportive if her daughter decided to have a boob job when she reached 18 and said: "We'll have to see how she develops - she's a 32C, but she'll need to be at least a D-cup."

She added: "Glamour modelling's a great career. The compliments she gets are great for her self-esteem and the money's good. I've been a good role model to her."

However psychologist Dr Funke Baffour told Closer: "The mum is treating her daughter not as a child, but as a sexualised object who poses for the admiration of men - and that's completely wrong."

The full feature appears in this week's Closer magazine, on sale now.

Is Annette right to encourage her daughter to become a glamour model or not? Let us know below...


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Why Vitamin D could improve eyesight in older people

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Why Vitamin D could improve eyesight in older peopleGetty

Researchers have said that taking vitamin D supplements could offer a "simple and effective" way of improving the eyesight of the elderly.

The researchers, from University College London's Opthalmology Department, said the discovery could lead to ways of treating people with conditions such as age-related macular degeneration.

The researchers carried out an experiment where one-year-old mice were injected with an oil containing the vitamin for six weeks, while another group received injections which just contained the oil.

The mice given vitamin D showed improvement when tests were carried out to measure their vision.

Levels of debris which collect in blood vessels in the eye due to ageing were also found to have decreased.

Professor Glen Jeffrey, who led the research, said: "In humans this can result in a decline of up to 30% in the numbers of light receptive cells in the eye by the time we are 70 and so lead to poorer vision."

He added: "Government agencies should start paying a little bit of ­attention to this. Vitamin D supplements could save money and improve public health."

"Finding amyloid deposits were reduced suggests vitamin D could be useful in preventing a range of age-related health problems, from ­deteriorating vision to heart disease."

"Researchers need to run full clinical trials in humans before we can say confidently that older people should start taking vitamin D supplements."

Do you think eyesight could be improved by taking vitamins or is poor vision a natural part of getting older? Let us know below...

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Memory-boosting foods

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Memory-boosting foodsPA

It seems the more chaos we have in our daily lives, the harder it is to remember the little things. On the plus side, even if you're feeling forgetful lately, there's hope: We can help boost our memories with what we eat.

From tomatoes to berries, we've rounded up 10 top foods to boost brain power and improve memory. They're all part of a healthy diet, so start munching - your brain will thank you.

 

Why a Wii workout could be better than the gym for over-50s

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Why a Wii workout could be better than the gym for over-50sAlamy

If you're over 50 and thinking about joining a gym to get in shape, you may be better off exercising in the comfort of your own home.

According to a new study, working out using a game like the Wii Fit could have more benefits for your health than other types of exercise.

Researchers from Union College in the US said participants in their research showed more "cognitive benefits" after using an exercise game compared with ordinary workouts.

The study's lead researcher Dr Cay Anderson-Hanley said: "We found that for older adults, virtual-reality enhanced interactive exercise, or 'cybercycling' two to three times per week for three months, yielded greater cognitive benefit, and perhaps added protection against mild cognitive impairment (MCI), than a similar dose of traditional exercise."

The researchers, whose work was published in The American Journal of Preventative Medicine, asked 101 participants, who were between the ages of 58-99, to use an exercise bike at home.

Some of the participants were given an exercise game where they competed against a "ghost rider" (an animation of their previous fastest ride) or went on a 3D ride.

The team found that the 'cybercycle' group had a 23% decrease in advancement of mild cognitive impairment and showed improved 'executive function'.

Dr Anderson-Hanley added: "Navigating a 3D landscape, anticipating turns, and competing with others require additional focus, expanded divided attention, and enhanced decision making. These activities depend in part on executive function, which was significantly affected."

"The implication of our study is that older adults who choose exergaming with interactive physical and cognitive exercise over traditional exercise may garner added cognitive benefit, and perhaps prevent decline, all for the same exercise effort."

Exercise game or the gym - which is better for you? Let us know below...

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Alicia Douvall admits she's surprised "I can breastfeed after 16 boob jobs!"

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Alicia Douvall admits she's surprised 'I can breastfeed after 16 boob jobs!'Closer magazine

Meet Alicia Douvall's one month old daughter, who continues the tradition for eccentric celebrity baby monikers with the name Papaya.

The former glamour model has revealed to Closer magazine that she'd ready for a new start after becoming famous for her kiss-and-tell affairs with P-Diddy and Calum Best, and her extreme addiction to plastic surgery.

Alicia exclaims: "Can you believe I can still breastfeed after 16 boob jobs? It's a miracle!" as she passes the baby to her 16-year-old daughter Georgia,

She adds: "I can already tell that she's feisty and high maintenance, but I love her to bits."

The 32-year-old is adamant that she won't go back to the surgeon and promises: "I'll never touch plastic surgery again after starting my life over with Papaya. My party days are behind me. It would be so embarrassing to be caught in a nightclub - I don't belong there any more!"

She explains: "Since ditching surgery, I've been able to concentrate on being a mum. I'm a lot happier with my appearance than I was before, but I don't look in the mirror and think: 'I'm beautiful.' I just see all the scars from the botched surgery."

However Alicia is keen to get back to her pre-baby weight as soon as she can, although she weighed just 7 stone when she found out she was expecting and has already dropped a stone since the birth.

She says: "Doctors have told me to rest for another four weeks, but I'm only going to wait a couple before combining gym workouts with yoga and swimming for two hours a day. I love my 30J breasts, bum and hips, but I'm determined to get back my six-pack."

"I'm sticking to a healthy diet and snacking on brown rice and fruit - plus I'm drinking lots of green vegetable smoothies."

Alicia at first said she wasn't going to reveal the identity of the father but tweeted in July that Papaya's dad was Simon Jordan, the former manager of Crystal Palace Football Club.

He has stopped communication with her and they are only in touch through their lawyers as she wants financial support for the baby.

She admits: "Being a single mum is tough. Papaya's up every three hours, but the exhaustion hasn't set in."

This week's Closer is on sale now.

Do you think Alicia has changed her ways now she's had another child or not? Let us know below...


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Learn Pilates... and enter to win a year's free gym membership with Activia

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Beginner's guide to PilatesDanone Activia


New Year's resolutions can be tough and it's usually a couple of weeks in that we find our will-power waning. We'd like to give you a helping hand by offering you the chance to win a year's free gym membership with Fitness First, courtesy of the Activia TLC plan.

The Activia TLC Plan is designed as a fun way to feel good and is packed full of fitness ideas, delicious, easy-to-create recipes, and helpful lifestyle and nutrition tips from various experts.

One of the Activia experts, Nikki Waterman, has compiled a beginners guide to Pilates to help keep you fit and healthy through the winter months. Pilates focuses on strengthening the 'powerhouse' (the abs and buttocks). The exercises are designed to increase flexibility, strengthen muscles and improve posture. Pilates requires a great deal of concentration, with coordination of breath and movement, helping to balance mind and body.

Pippa Middleton famously credits her pert behind to Pilates so follow these exercises below to get you started and for further bottom boosting tips watch the video at the end of the article.

Beginners Pilates exercises

These help build the framework that intermediate and advanced levels rely on, so before long you'll be ready to move up. Use a yoga / pilates mat if you have one, but if not just make sure you have a comfortable surface to work out on. And remember to warm-up before any form of exercise.

Ball roll

1. Sit with your knees bent in front of you. Balance your body on your buttocks, pulling your feet in as close as you can, and clutch each ankle with your hands. Place your head between your knees.

2. Inhale and then roll backwards while keeping your body shape the same. Roll until you are essentially on the back of your shoulder-blades.

3. Exhale and roll back to the starting position.

Double leg stretch

1. Lie on your back and bring both knees towards your chest. Slowly lift your head and shoulders, inhale, and extend your arms and legs in opposite directions keeping them parallel to the floor.

2. Stretch your arms and legs by extending them upwards so that they are 45 degrees to the floor.

3. Exhale while sweeping your arms around. Bring your knees towards your chest once more, and repeat 10-15 times.

Roll up

1. Lie flat on the mat and extend your arms upwards above your ears. Press your legs tightly together and bring your chin towards your chest.

2. Inhale as you peel your back gradually off of the mat, aiming your arms towards your feet.

3. Exhale, and slowly do the reverse motion as you return your back flat onto the mat. Repeat another 5-10 times.

General stretch

1. Lie on your back, bend your knees slightly, and extend your arms along the mat.

2. Inhale deeply twice and lift your head and shoulders up, while reaching your arms as far back as possible.

3. While slowly exhaling, gradually peel your back off the mat segment by segment as you raise yourself. Keep your feet flat on the floor, knees at the same right angle, and arms extended as before. Finish by sitting up with your arms still extended.

The hundred

1. While lying flat on your back, slide your shoulders down and backwards, essentially lengthening the back from the neck. Use your abdominal force to raise your head and shoulders slightly.

2. Extend your arms as far as they can go, past your hips at least, while straightening both legs vertically.

3. Lower the legs to a 45 degree angle and tighten your buttock muscles. Bring your extended arms up and down, pumping them while they remain fully extended. Pump your arms roughly 100 times, hence the name, while keeping your legs in that position.

4. Finish by lowering your head and drawing your knees towards your chest.

For a chance to win a year's gym membership with Fitness First, click here.

For more great health tips and advice visit http://www.danoneactivia.co.uk.


 

PM reveals he has regular date night with wife Sam

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PM reveals he has regular date night with wife SamPA

The Prime Minister has told Now magazine that he keeps his relationship interesting by having regular date nights with his wife.

David Cameron told the magazine that he and wife Samantha liked to spend time together alone and said: "We have one night every week where we either stay in and do nothing, or go out on our own. We have a couple of favourite Italian restaurants in north Kensington but I can't tell you about them."

"I once named my favourite Spanish restaurant and a newspaper went there and said the food tasted like boiled sawdust or something and totally trashed it, so I don't want to risk it."

He added that they usually went out for Valentine's Day and said: "My wife and I always try to do something but occasionally we haven't booked a restaurant early enough. I'm sure that's something lots of people experience."

The PM strayed into slightly saucy territory when he was asked what his most memorable 24 hours were.

He said: "Probably getting married and the first night of my honeymoon. I can still remember it pretty much minute by minute..."

When the interviewer complained that was possibly too much information he added: "OK, well, hour by hour! That would be the one for me, I think."

Has the PM revealed too much information or not? Let us know below...

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Kate Thornton talks about anorexia battle on This Morning

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Kate Thornton talks about anorexia battle on This MorningRex

Kate Thornton took to the This Morning sofa yesterday to talk about her experience with anorexia.

The presenter revealed she is making a documentary about the condition and said she had become ill after being bullied at school.

The 38-year-old, who was accompanied by eating disorder expert Dr Adrienne Key and anorexia sufferer Megan Rafferty, told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that her mother still found it difficult to discuss, saying: "My mother still can't talk about it."

The former Loose Women presenter said working on the documentary had been very difficult, as was talking to her relatives about their recollections of when she was anorexic (from the ages of 11 to 15).

'There was a 20-year distance between me and my recovery. And I have to say I completely misjudged it. I found it really hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done."

"I can't watch it. I was looking away then when that clip was on. It is undignified, it's embarrassing, but it's happening all around us."

She added: "The moment you become a parent you feel this absolute responsibility and you look at the world differently. There have been some very interesting conversations with my parents as a result of the documentary."

"It is a deceptive illness, a lonely illness and still one that's really difficult to fathom."

For information and advice about eating disorders visit the Beat website

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New study says HRT could be safe

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New study says HRT could be safeGetty

A review of the research which linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with cancer has concluded it was not "reliable".

According to the review by Professor Samuel Shapiro, an epidemiologist at Cape Town Medical School, South Africa, the Million Women Study's research was inaccurate.

The original research, which associated taking HRT with doubling the risk of breast cancer, caused an estimated one million women to stop taking the pills.

The researchers who carried out the Million Women Study at Cancer Research UK's Epidemiology Unit said taking HRT "doubled the risk of breast cancer compared to women who didn't take it."

However the new review said the study's design was inaccurate. Professor Shapiro mentioned the fact that women who were found to have cancer within weeks of the study beginning were still included in the data, which affected the findings.

The review, which was published in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, said: "Size alone does not guarantee that the findings are reliable. HRT may or may not increase the risk of breast cancer, but the MWS does not establish that it does."

Review co-author Dr John Stevenson, consultant metabolic physician at Imperial College, London, and Royal Brompton Hospital London, told the Daily Mail: "So much damage has been done by frightening women off HRT, in terms of reducing their quality of life, preventing bone loss and fractures and improving the risk of cardiovascular disease."

"HRT is one of the cheapest treatments in medicine and we have yet to count the cost to the NHS because of women not having HRT."

Do you think HRT is safe to take or not? Let us know below...

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Nasal spray recall after bacterial contamination

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Nasal spray recall after bacterial contaminationRex

Thousands of bottles of Sterimar Isotonic spray have been recalled after two batches were found to be contaminated with the bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri and Sphingomonas paucimobilis.

The bacteria, which is usually present in soil and water, can cause fever, nasal or facial tenderness and discoloured mucus in people with nasal problems or who have recently had surgery.

The health watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said anyone who had the product should stop using it immediately and return it to the shop they bought it from.

A statement on the MHRA website said if consumers "exhibit any of the symptoms...then they should consult a healthcare professional."

"The affected batches are FE1248b and FE1249. The batch number can be located on the product packaging and on the base of the can."

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